,the ,works of the                      
,rev4 ,john ,wesley1 ,m4,a4             
,transcriber's ,notes                   
,punctuation has been standardized4     
,most of the non-common abbreviations   
used to save space in          printing 
have been expanded to the               
non-abbreviated form for         easier 
reading4                                
,the author has used an asterisk 7997 to
 indicate passages he         considers 
most worthy of attention4               
,the text may show quotations within    
quotations1 all set             off by  
similar quote marks4 ,the inner         
quotations have been          changed to
 alternate quote marks for improved     
readability4                            
,characters in small caps have been     
replaced by all caps4                   
,non-printable characteristics have been
 given the following             ,italic
 text3             -- text              
emphasized text within                  
italics             -- text             

,this book was written in a period when 
many words had               not become 
standardized in their spelling4 ,words  
may have           multiple spelling    
variations or inconsistent hyphenation  
in         the text4 ,these have been   
left unchanged unless indicated         
with a ,transcriber's ,note4            
,index references have not been checked 
for accuracy4                           
,the symbol #8' indicates the           
description in parenthesis has          
been added to an illustration4 ,this may
 be needed if there          is no      
caption or if the caption does not      
describe the image         adequately4  
,footnotes are identified in the text   
with a superscript             number   
and are shown immediately below the     
paragraph in which       they appear4   
,transcriber's ,notes are used when     
making corrections to the         text  
or to provide additional information for
 the modern            reader4 ,these   
notes are identified by  symbols in the 

text and are shown immediately below the
 paragraph in which         they appear4
                                        
,,the                                   
,,works                                 
,,of ,,the                              
,rev4 ,,john ,,wesley1 ,m4,a4           
,late ,fellow of ,lincoln-,college1     
,,oxford4                               
,,volume ,,ix4                          
,,bristol3                ,printed by   
,,william ,,pine1 in ,wine-,street4     
,,mdcclxxii4                            
,,the                                   
,,contents                           ,of
 the ,,ninth ,,volume4      ,the manners
 of the ancient ,christians4            
,chapter ,i4 ,of the life of ,christ4   
,chapter ,,ii4 ,of the church at        
,jerusalem4        ,chapter ,,iii4 ,the 
state of the ,heathens before their     
conversion4        ,chapter ,,iv4 ,of   
their prayer and study of the scripture4
        ,chapter ,v4 ,of their fasts1   
meals1 modesty1 and seriousness4        

,chapter ,,vi4 ,of their marriages1     
their union1 and public                 
assemblies4        ,chapter ,,vii4 ,of  
their persecutions4        ,chapter     
,,viii4 ,of their care of the poor sick1
 their          hospitality1 and        
patience4        ,the doctrine of       
,salvation1 ,faith1 and ,good ,works2   
extracted from        the homilies of   
the church of ,england4      ,an        
,abridgment of the ,pilgrim's ,progress4
      ,a ,word of ,advice to ,saints and
 ,sinners4      ,christian ,letters by  
,joseph ,alleine4      ,a ,word to a    
,sabbath-,breaker4      ,a ,word to a   
,swearer4      ,a ,word to a ,drunkard4 
,a ,word to an unhappy ,woman4      ,a  
,word to a ,smuggler4      ,a ,word to a
 condemn'd ,malefactor4      ,a ,word in
 ,season3 ,or ,advice to an ,englishman4
      ,a ,word to a ,protestant4      ,a
 ,word to a ,freeholder4      ,advice to
 a ,soldier4        ,illustration3 7    
decoration7                             
,the ,manners of the                    

,,ancient ,,christians4                 
,extracted from a ,french ,author4      
,,chapter ,i4                           
,of the life of ,christ4      #a4 ,,as  
the ,christian religion is not an       
invention of men1 but the work  of ,god1
 it received its full perfection at the 
beginning of it4 ,for  who can imagine1 
the apostles were ignorant of any truth 
necessary  or useful to salvation8 ,or  
that any thing has been since found out 
touching the conduct of life1 more wise 
and excellent than what ,jesus  ,christ 
taught them8 ,it is among the first     
,christians therefore1 that we  must    
look for a pattern of the most perfect  
life1 and by consequence of  the most   
happy1 which can be upon earth4    #b4  
,let us begin with the life of ,christ  
himself1 the model and source  of all   
perfection4 ,in his very childhood he   
sets us an example1 by his              
teachableness and obedience to his      
parents4 ,of the rest of his youth we   
only know1 that he lived in the little  

town of ,nazareth 1 passing for  the son
 of a carpenter and working as one      
himself4 ,in such obscurity  he1 who    
came to be the light of the world1 chose
 to pass the greatest  part of his life4
 ,thirty years he lived a private life1 
and only three  or four in public1 to   
shew us1 that a private life is best for
 the  generality of men3 and that there 
is only a small number who ought  to act
 in public1 so far as the order of ,god1
 and the love of their  neighbour       
require it4    #c4 ,before he began his 
great work1 he prepared himself for it1 
by  fasting and prayer4 ,and having     
afterwards been tempted of the devil1 to
  shew1 he is able to succour when we   
are tempted1 he went forth to seek  and 
to save that which was lost4 ,he shewed 
that he came from ,god by his  miracles4
 ,and even these gave him matter of many
 virtues2 of simplicity1  humility1     
patience4 ,he wrought them without any  
pride or ostentation2  he seldom stayed 
till he was asked to do them2 and then1 

only to  exercise1 or to make known the 
faith of those that asked him4 ,he gives
  the glory of all to his ,father4 8,i  
can of myself1 says he1 7that is1  as   
man7 do nothing4 ,my ,father who abideth
 in me1 he it is that doth the  works40 
#d4 ,what patience was it1 to bear that 
incredible multitude1 which  continually
 followed him1 who prest to touch him1  
who threw themselves  upon him1 and were
 often ready to overwhelm him8 ,if he   
went into a  house1 all the city        
gathered together at the door1 and gave 
him no  time1 so much as to eat4 ,so    
that he could no longer come into the   
towns1  unless in secret2 but was forced
 to stay abroad in the deserts3 and     
even thither the people followed him in 
great multitudes1 as appears by  the    
five thousand1 whom he fed there4 ,hence
 it was1 that he retired to  the        
mountains to pray1 that he employed the 
nights therein1 and that he  slept when 
he could1 and as he could2 as in the    
ship1 during the storm4    #e4 ,his life

 was now more laborious1 than when he   
worked with his hands4  ,indeed he had  
not time to work in2 insomuch that he   
suffered women  to minister unto him of 
their goods1 and even kept some money by
 him4  ,of this he made ,judas the      
keeper4 ,so much did ,jesus esteem      
money6  ,he gave alms of the little he  
had1 and sometimes he had none at all4  
,indeed he lived all along in great     
poverty4 ,he had not where to lay his   
head4 ,at his death1 he had no goods1   
but his cloaths4 ,he came1 not to  be   
ministered unto1 but to minister4 ,he   
made his journeys on foot1 and          
continued walking even till the heat of 
the day4 ,for it was at noon  that he   
sat down1 weary as he was1 on the well1 
where he met the woman  of ,samaria4    
,and tho' he was the ,lord of nature1 we
 find not that he  wrought any miracle  
for his own convenience1 or to spare his
 own pains4  ,the angels ministered unto
 him only once1 to shew what was his    
due1 had  he pleased to use it4    #f4  

,all his carriage was simple1 easy1     
natural1 lively4 ,he looked them  in the
 face1 with whom he spake3 as the rich  
young man4 ,it is often  said1 8,he     
stretched forth his hand unto them20    
often1 that he made use  of such other  
particular gestures1 as were suitable to
 the occasion4  ,sometimes his very     
looks exprest pity1 or grief1 or        
indignation3 at  other times1           
tenderness2 as when he took up the      
children in his arms1  and laid his     
hands upon them4    #g4 ,with all this  
plainness and simplicity of behaviour1  
he preserved a  wonderful dignity4 ,he  
was always serious4 ,we find him twice  
in tears3  but it is not said1 that he  
ever laughed4 ,he asked nothing of any  
man1  following his own maxim1 8,it is  
more blessed to give than to receive40  
,all men sought him out and ran unto    
him4 ,he conversed with all1 without    
any meanness of behaviour1 and yet with 
the utmost condescension2 being  easy of
 access to all2 yea to ,publicans and   

,sinners4 ,he condescended to  eat1 and 
to lodge with them1 yea to let a woman  
that was a sinner touch  him1 and       
perfume his feet2 a delicacy that seemed
 quite opposite to his  poor and        
mortified life4    #h4 ,as he came into 
the world to instruct mankind1 he taught
 continually  both in public and        
private3 insomuch that men admired the  
power by  which he spoke1 and the       
gracious words that came out of his     
mouth4  ,his discourse was simple and   
clear1 without any ornament1 but lively 
and natural figures4 ,sometimes1 he     
speaks by actions1 as when he bids      
,john's disciples1 8,go tell unto ,john 
what ye have seen and heard40  ,and     
generally1 his words are few4 ,he lays  
down great principles without  troubling
 himself to draw consequences1 or to    
prove them4 ,indeed they  carry in      
themselves the light of truth1 which    
only wilful blindness can  resist4 ,when
 he does use proofs1 they are those of  
sensible reasonings  and familiar       

comparisons4 ,his miracles were the     
strongest proofs1 and  best suited to   
all understandings4 ,these were equally 
apprehended by  the learned1 as         
,nicodemus1 and the unlearned1 as the   
man born blind4  ,he often joins thereto
 the authorities of the law and the     
prophets1  shewing that his doctrine    
came from the same wisdom1 and that the 
,old  ,testament and the ,new were built
 on the same divine foundation4    #i4  
,that his disciples might have the full 
benefit of his example1 he  lived with  
them in common1 as one family4 ,they    
followed him wherever he  went2 they eat
 and lodged with him2 they had          
opportunity of studying  him            
continually4 ,he spared no pains to     
instruct them4 ,what they  understood   
not in his public discourses1 he        
explained to them in  private2 treating 
them as his friends1 and telling them   
all things1 as  they were able to bear  
them4 ,he bore with the utmost patience1
 their  dulness1 their ignorance1 their 

vanity1 and all their faults1 and       
laboured without ceasing to correct     
them4    99#aj4 ,but he had other       
disciples beside the twelve3 for all who
  believed and were baptized were called
 his disciples4 ,st4 ,paul  mentions    
above #ejj of them1 who together saw him
 after his resurrection4  ,so that the  
church even then consisted of two parts3
 the people1  simply called ,the        
disciples or ,the brethren1 and those   
whom ,christ  had set apart for         
ministring in public3 such were first1  
,the apostles1  and then the seventy1   
whom he chose1 and sent two and two     
before  his face4    99#aa4 ,the        
different degrees of love wherewith our 
,lord loved different  persons are      
worthy a serious reflection4 ,he hath   
taught us1 that  every man is our       
neighbour1 whom we are to love as       
ourselves3 and he  accordingly loved all
 the world3 yea1 he gave his life for   
all4 ,yet he  loved his disciples in a  
particular manner1 and above the rest of

 them1  his apostles2 above the rest of 
the apostles1 ,st4 ,peter and the sons  
of ,zebedee2 and above all1 ,st4 ,john4 
,thus by his own example hath  he       
authorized us to regard some persons    
with a particular affection1  and shewn1
 that peculiar friendship is not        
inconsistent with universal  charity4   
#ab4 ,but in his sufferings chiefly hath
 8,he left us an example1 that we       
should tread in his steps40 ,being like 
us in all things1 except sin1  he felt  
all the inconveniences of life2 hunger1 
thirst and weariness  and pain3 and the 
state he was in1 the night before his   
passion in the  garden1 plainly shews1  
that he was sensible like us1 of grief  
and fear  and sadness4 ,add to these his
 sense of the hardness of men's hearts1 
and the contradiction of sinners4 ,but  
he suffered all1 and particularly  in   
his passion1 with an invincible         
constancy4 ,he who with a word could    
have confounded his accusers and judges 
together1 opened not his mouth4  ,he    

stood unmoved as a rock in the midst of 
all insults1 reproaches1  outrages4 ,on 
the very cross he possest his soul in   
patience4 ,even there  retaining        
composure of mind1 he prays for his     
murderers2 he accepts the  faith of the 
penitent thief2 he provides for his     
mother's comfort2 he  finishes the      
accomplishment of the prophecies2 he    
commends his spirit  to ,god4           
,,chapter ,,ii4                         
,of the church at ,jerusalem4      #a4  
,,after the apostles had received the   
,holy ,ghost1 they were living  images  
of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and by them all the 
following servants of  ,christ were to  
form their hearts and lives4 ,so ,st4   
,paul to the  ,corinthians1 ,be ye      
followers of me1 as ,i am of ,christ3   
and to the  ,philippians1 ,brethren1 be 
followers together of me1 and mark them 
which walk so1 as ye have us for an     
example4         8,phillippians0        
replaced with 8,philippians0    #b4     
,thus they taught by their lives as well

 as their words4 ,but they  chose out   
some of the believers1 whom they taught 
in a more particular  manner1 as ,jesus 
,christ had instructed them4 ,these were
 with them  continually wherever they   
went3 these followed them in all their  
journies1 and were appointed by them to 
reside in1 and to govern the  churches  
as they were formed4 ,so with ,st4      
,peter was ,mark1 whom he  calls his son
 7#a ,peter v4 #ac47 and ,st4 ,clement1 
well known in all  the churches4 ,with  
,st4 ,paul1 were ,timothy1 ,titus1 ,st4 
,luke1  and sometimes the same ,st4     
,clement4 ,thus ,polycarp accompanied   
,st4 ,john4 ,these holy men applied     
themselves with all care to learn  the  
doctrine1 and to imitate the lives of   
the apostles4 ,and hereby  they were    
themselves examples to other believers1 
both by word and  conversation1 in      
charity1 in spirit1 in faith1 in purity4
 ,they likewise  themselves formed      
disciples1 capable of instructing and   
forming others4  ,and this ,st4 ,paul   

directs ,timothy to do 7#b ,timothy ii4 
#b47 ,the  things which thou hast heard 
of me among many witnesses1 the same    
commit thou to faithful men1 who shall  
be able to teach others also4  ,thus was
 the faith once delivered to the saints3
 thus was the church1  the whole body of
 ,christians from the beginning1 the    
ground and pillar  of truth1 of all the 
truths contained in the oracles of ,god4
 ,in the  writings therefore of these1  
not of modern reasoners and disputers1  
are  we to search for that sense of     
scriptures hard to be understood1 which 
they received from the apostles1 and the
 apostles from ,christ4    #c4 ,the     
church at ,jerusalem1 the pattern and   
mother of all churches1  was taught and 
governed by the apostles themselves4    
,and all the members  thereof continued 
stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and 
fellowship1  and in breaking of bread   
and in prayer4 ,all who believed were   
together  and had all things common4    
,they sold their possessions and goods1 

and parted them to all1 as every man had
 need4 ,they continued daily  with one  
accord in the temple1 and in breaking   
bread in the house  or chamber appointed
 for it3 and eat their meat with        
gladness and  singleness of heart1      
praising ,god and having favour with all
 the  people4 ,again we read1 ,the      
multitude of them that believed1 were of
  one heart1 and of one soul1 neither   
said any1 that ought of the things      
which he possessed was his own1 but they
 had all things common4 ,and  great     
grace was upon them all1 neither was    
there any among them1 that  wanted3 for 
as many as were possessors of lands or  
houses1 sold them1  and brought the     
prices of the things that were sold1 and
 laid them down  at the apostles feet4  
,and distribution was made to every man1
 according  as he had need4    #d4 ,this
 community of goods the ancient         
philosophers and law-givers  often      
endeavoured1 but could never effect3    
having only punishments to  constrain1  

or reasonings to persuade men to it4    
,and both these were  too weak to       
prevail4 ,only the grace of ,christ     
could effect it4 ,when  this was shed   
abroad in their hearts1 they all looked 
on each other as  brethren1 all united  
in one family1 and fed alike by the     
common care  of their ,father4 ,the law 
of love1 so often repeated by their     
,lord1 was  continually before their    
eyes1 and by this did all men know they 
were  his disciples1 by their love to   
one another4    #e4 ,it is said1 that   
they continued stedfastly in the        
apostles  doctrine2 and they are often  
called1 the disciples or learners4      
,they diligently applied themselves to  
learn all the truths of ,god1  whether  
by hearing the apostles both in public  
and private1 or by  reading and         
comparing together the holy scriptures1 
and meditating  upon them4 ,it is       
likewise said1 that they continued in   
prayer1 and went  daily for that purpose
 to the temple3 probably at the solemn  

hours of  prayer1 the third1 sixth and  
ninth1 which the ,christian church      
observed for many ages4    #f4 ,the     
other part of their daily service       
mentioned here1 is the  breaking of     
bread1 or the ,lord's supper1 as the    
phrase signifies1  not in this place    
alone1 but in many others of the ,new   
,testament4  ,it was followed by a      
repast1 the use of which continued long 
in the  church1 under the name of ,agap1
 or feasts of love4 ,and these  it is   
said1 ,they eat with gladness and       
singleness of heart4 ,in  a word1 all   
the ,christians were as little children1
 in humility1  disinterestedness and    
purity4 ,by renouncing worldly good and 
hopes1  they had cut off the occasions  
of passions and of the uneasinesses of  
life3 so that their minds were wholly   
taken up with heaven1 and their  hope   
full of immortality4 ,thus the church of
 ,jerusalem subsisted  near forty years1
 under the conduct of the apostles and  
,st4 ,james  7the bishop of it7 in      

particular3 till the ,christians seeing 
the ruin  of that unhappy city to       
approach1 according to the prediction of
 their  ,master1 retired out of it to   
the little town of ,pella1 where they   
continued in peace and safety4          
8chuch0 replaced with 8church0          
,,chapter ,,iii4             ,the state 
of the ,heathens before their           
conversion4      #a4 ,,they who are     
unacquainted with history1 suppose1 that
 the men who  lived seventeen hundred   
years ago1 were more artless1 more      
innocent  and more teachable1 than those
 that are now alive4 ,but the writings  
of  those times which still remain1     
clearly prove the contrary4 ,the crimes1
  whereof they give us to full accounts1
 were committed in the face  of the sun4
 ,no one ran into a corner to commit    
them1 or endeavoured  afterwards to     
conceal them4 ,and the providence of    
,god seems to have  preserved these     
accounts1 on purpose to shew1 from what 
an abyss of  corruption 7described in   

short by ,st4 ,paul in the beginning of 
his  epistle to the ,romans7 ,jesus     
,christ delivered the world4    #b4 ,the
 ordinary diversions of the people of   
,rome1 were to see men  kill one        
another1 or torn in pieces by wild      
beasts4 ,and the governors  of the      
provinces1 daily exercised the greatest 
cruelties upon those  who were not      
,romans4 ,the emperors put to death whom
 they pleased1  without any process or  
trial2 whence it was that bad princes   
shed so  much blood1 even of the most   
noble ,romans4 ,their avarice was equal 
to their cruelty2 so that all places    
were full of frauds1 of falshoods1  of  
perjuries1 of calumnies1 of violences   
and oppressions4    #c4 ,yet in the     
midst of the ,roman empire1 yea1 of     
,rome itself1  ,christianity established
 itself3 ,and that at a time when it was
 the  most enlightened that ever it was1
 as well as the most corrupted4  ,nor   
could it more evidently appear1 that the
 ,gospel was the power  of ,god1 than by

 its triumphing over those very         
dispositions1 which  were of all others 
most opposite to it4 ,what could be more
 opposite  to the humility of faith and 
the simplicity of the ,christian        
doctrine1  than the haughtiness of      
self-conscious knowledge1 and pride of  
understanding8 ,what to the inward      
purity it required1 and the  strictness 
of its morality1 than that entire       
depravity of heart1  and overflowing    
corruption of manners8    #d4 ,the      
manner of preaching the ,gospel was     
different1 according to  the            
dispositions of the hearers4 ,the       
apostles convinced the ,jews by  proofs 
drawn from their own prophets1 and other
 parts of holy writ2  the ,heathens1 by 
reasonings1 more simple or more subtle1 
according  to their capacity4 ,but what 
most prevailed on the heathen was1 the  
miracles which were frequent1 for two   
hundred years after the  apostles1 the  
holy lives of the ,christians1 and their
 constancy in  sufferings and death4    

#e4 ,when any one desired to be a       
,christian1 he was brought to the       
bishop1 who carefully examined1 what    
were the motives and causes of his      
desiring it1 and what his life past had 
been8 ,for none were received  'till    
they had renounced whatever was contrary
 to the law of ,christ3  and given proof
 for some time1 that they were          
determined1 to make it  the rule of     
their future life4    #f4 ,he who was   
judged sincere in his desire1 was       
received by the bishop  into the number 
of ,catechumens4 ,these were not only   
present at the  public exposition of    
scripture 7for so might the ,infidels   
themselves7  but had ,catechists        
appointed for them1 whose office it was1
 to  instruct them severally in the     
first principles of ,christianity1 and  
to watch over them continually1 that    
their practice might be answerable      
thereto4 ,the common time for being a   
catechumen was two years3 but  it might 
be either longer or shorter4 ,it was    

always so long1 till the  person        
appeared to be changed in heart and     
life4 ,the names of those  who were     
judged to be thus changed1 were given in
 at the beginning of  ,lent4 ,and these1
 as well as the faithful1 spent that    
solemn time1 in  watching1 fasting and  
prayer4 ,in the mean while they were    
instructed  in the creed1 and the       
mysteries of the ,christian faith3 as to
 their  progress wherein they were      
frequently examined in the church1      
before  the congregation4               
8publick0 replaced with 8public0 for    
consistency    #g4 ,toward the end of   
,lent they were taught the ,lord's      
prayer1  and instructed in the nature of
 the sacraments1 and having been thus   
prepared1 they were baptized on         
,easter-,eve1 that they might rise      
again with ,christ3 or on the eve of    
,pentecost1 that they might be  ready to
 receive the ,holy ,ghost4 ,but though  
these were the stated times  of baptism1
 even till the tenth age2 yet they who  

were in danger of  death were baptized  
at any time3 as in case of open         
persecution4    #h4 ,the day of baptism 
being come1 the ,catechumen was brought 
to the  baptistery4 ,this was at first  
near the church1 or in the church porch3
  afterwards in the church itself4      
,here1 after he had renounced the  devil
 and all his works1 he was questioned   
concerning the faith1 and  concerning   
his purpose of leading a ,christian     
life4 ,to which questions  he gave      
distinct answers4 ,he was then immerged 
in the consecrated  water1 three times2 
at the name of the ,father1 of the ,son1
 and of  the ,holy ,ghost4 ,at his      
coming out of the water1 a white garment
 was  given him1 for a token of the     
innocence which was now given him1 and  
which he was to take care to preserve   
without spot unto his life's end4  ,when
 the persons baptized were infants1     
their sureties or sponsors 7as          
,tertullian calls them7 answered for    
them4 ,immediately after baptism  they  

were presented to the bishop to be      
confirmed1 by prayer and  imposition of 
hands2 and for a long time after they   
were instructed  and assisted1 as by the
 priest1 so by those who had witnessed  
for them1  till they were throughly     
perfect in the faith1 and fully prepared
 for  every good work4                  
,,chapter ,,iv4                ,of their
 prayer and study of the scriptures4    
#a4 ,,those who were baptized began to  
lead a new life1 wholly spiritual  and  
supernatural3 a life of faith and       
prayer3 remembring the words  of their  
,lord1 that men ought always to pray and
 not to faint2 they  endeavoured to pray
 without ceasing1 and used all sorts of 
means1  that the application of their   
spirit to ,god1 might be interrupted    
the least that was possible4 ,but of all
 prayer1 they had the greatest  esteem  
for public2 as well knowing1 the more   
persons joined together1  to beg of ,god
 any mercy1 the more force their prayers
 had to obtain it4  ,and the service    

ended1 they saluted each other1 the men 
the men1 and  the women the women1 with 
the kiss of peace4         omitted word 
8be0 added as shown by the catchword on 
the        previous page4    #b4 ,but   
besides their solemn prayers both in    
public and private1 they  used          
particular prayers before all they did3 
following therein the  direction of ,st4
 ,paul1 ,whatsoever ye do in word or    
deed1 do all in  the name of the ,lord  
,jesus1 giving thanks to ,god1 even the 
,father by  him4 ,accordingly1 plowing1 
sowing1 reaping1 and all their works1   
were  begun and ended in prayer4 ,they  
prayed when they began to build a house1
  or to live in it1 and on all the      
common occurrences of life4 ,their      
salutations when they met1 and at the   
beginning of their letters1 were  not   
only expressions of friendship1 but     
prayers4         8occurrrences0 replaced
 with 8occurrences0    #c4 ,the book of 
,psalms made a great part of their      
prayers2 as  including the sum of all   

the scriptures1 and shewing what        
sentiments a  servant of ,god ought to  
have1 in all the various conditions of  
life4 ,to  these they always joined the 
reading a part of some of the other holy
  books3 all which the bishops and      
pastors of the church1 explained with   
all diligence1 instructing their flock  
both publicly and from house  to house1 
and suiting their instructions to their 
several capacities4  ,but they all along
 declared1 they spake not from          
themselves1 they said  nothing new1     
nothing of their own4 ,they declared1   
that they were only  faithful relators  
of the gospel of ,christ1 and of that   
interpretation  thereof1 which they had 
received from their fore-fathers1 and   
their  fore-fathers from the apostles4  
,they imprinted in the faithful the     
utmost abhorrence for all novelties1    
especially in doctrine4 ,insomuch  that 
if private ,christians heard any        
discourse which was contrary to  the    
first faith1 they did not amuse         

themselves with disputing1 but          
immediately left the place4    #d4 ,what
 had been read to them in public1 out of
 the holy scriptures1  the faithful read
 again in private4 ,they talked of it in
 the house and  by the way2 they        
meditated thereon day and night4        
,indeed1 particular  houses1 as ,st4    
,chrysostom observes1 were then         
churches4 ,every father  being a pastor 
to his family1 instructing his wife1    
children1 servants2  exhorting them     
familiarly1 presiding over their joint  
devotion1 and  every way assisting to   
preserve them in the unity of the       
church1 and  to build them up in faith  
and love4    #e4 ,in the mean while they
 did not neglect to work with their     
hands1  both1 that they might avoid     
idleness1 the root of all vices1 that   
they might provide for their own        
housholds1 and that they might have  the
 more ability to help their brethren4   
,but they took care to chuse  not only  
innocent employs1 but such as best      

suited with retirement  and humility1   
and did not too much engage the mind1 or
 dissipate the  thoughts3 what time they
 could spare from these1 they employed  
in works  of charity3 in visiting the   
sick or afflicted1 and assisting whoever
  stood in need of their assistance4 ,so
 that the life of a ,christian  was a   
continued course of prayer1 reading and 
labour1 succeeding  each other2 and as  
little as possible interrupted by the   
necessities  of life4 ,whatever calling 
they were of1 they regarded it always1  
as  only an accessory or help to        
religion2 which they ever remembered was
  the one single business1 that was to  
take up all their lives4 ,their         
profession was1 purely and simply to be 
,christians4 ,they assumed no  other    
distinction3 and when they were         
questioned concerning their  name1 their
 country1 their condition1 their one    
answer was1 8,i am a  ,christian40      
,,chapter ,v4               ,of their   
fasts1 meals1 modesty and seriousness4  

#a4 ,,the fasts of the ancients were    
either yearly1 as that of ,lent1  which 
they observed daily till six in the     
evening2 or weekly1 as  those of        
,wednesday and ,friday1 which they      
observed till three in  the afternoon4  
,the yearly they kept in memory of their
 ,lord1 and in  obedience to that       
command1 ,when the bridegroom shall be  
taken away1  then shall they fast in    
those days4 ,and the weekly too were    
observed  throughout the whole church1  
in remembrance of his passion3 because  
on  ,wednesday the council against him  
was held1 and on ,friday he was  put to 
death4 ,during the whole ,lent1 many eat
 only bread and water3  some added      
thereto nuts and almonds3 and others    
were obliged to use  different food1    
according to their different            
infirmities4 ,but all  abstained from   
wine and delicate meats1 during whatever
 time was set  apart for fasting1 and   
spent as large a proportion of it as    
they could1  in retirement1 reading and 

prayer4    #b4 ,at all times the meals  
of ,christians were plain and frugal4   
,they  did not live to eat1 but eat to  
live4 ,they used only such food and such
  a measure of it1 as was necessary for 
health and strength4 ,as to the  kinds  
of food1 they eat whatever was set      
before them1 except blood  and things   
strangled2 from which they carefully    
abstained1 according  to the decree of  
the apostles speaking by the ,holy      
,ghost4 ,some indeed  there were in all 
ages1 who eat only herbs with bread and 
water3 not  out of any abhorrence of    
other food2 but believing this to be    
best  for their own weakness4 ,no       
,christians eat with heretics1 or       
persons  excommunicate3 but they did    
sometimes with infidels1 that they might
  not break off all society with them4  
8hereticks0 replaced with 8heretics0 for
 consistency    #c4 ,the same air of    
modesty appeared in all the other parts 
of their  life4 ,they valued only inward
 greatness2 they esteemed no nobility1  

but nobleness of soul4 ,they made no    
account of perishable goods1 or  of any 
riches but spiritual4 ,they utterly     
despised all that luxury had            
introduced2 all the idle expence of     
magnificent buildings2 of costly        
apparel2 of sumptuous furniture1 and    
vessels of gold and silver4 ,behold  the
 furniture which her persecutors found  
in the chamber of ,domna1  a rich lady  
of ,nicomedia3 the ,acts of the         
apostles1 two matts upon  the floor1 a  
wooden box1 and an earthen censer4      
#d4 ,as to their dress1 they wore no    
glaring colours1 but mostly white1  the 
emblem of purity4 ,they used no costly  
stuffs1 no rings1 jewels1  perfumes2    
nothing fine or delicate2 plainness1    
modesty1 gravity and  a contempt of     
ornament1 were visible in their whole   
exterior4 ,they  made use of none of the
 public diversions1 but accounted them  
all  abominations2 not only as being    
idolatrous1 but as being one great      
source of the general corruption of     

manners4 ,and in fact the theatre  was  
no other than a school of immodesty3 the
 amphitheatre where men  fought with    
each other1 or with wild beasts1 was    
evidently a school  of cruelty4 ,and all
 these diversions fomented all sorts of 
passions1  which it is the business of  
,christianity to calm4 ,therefore it is1
 that  even the races of the ,circus    
which appeared the most innocent1 are   
constantly mentioned1 by the fathers1   
with horror and detestation3 not  only  
on account of the idleness they         
promoted1 and the vast expence  that    
attended them2 but likewise of the      
promiscuous converse of men  and women1 
and the factions which reigned there1   
producing every day  quarrels and       
furious animosities1 that often         
proceeded even to blood4    #e4 ,they   
likewise entirely disapproved of dice1  
and all other sedentary  games1 the     
least mischief of which they judged to  
be1 the nourishing of  sloth and        
idleness4 ,they did not approve of loud 

laughter1 or whatever  has a tendency   
thereto3 as light discourses1 ludicrous 
gestures or  actions1 buffoonery1       
drollery4 ,they thought all these       
beneath the  dignity of a ,christian1   
and absolutely unworthy his high        
calling3  whose conversation ought to be
 always good1 to the use of edifying1   
that it may minister grace to the       
hearers4 ,they considered1 that both    
our ,lord and all his apostles1 led the 
most serious life possible3 and  that   
,st4 ,paul condemns by name1 that habit 
of jesting1 raillery or  facetiousness1 
which the ,heathens ranked among their  
virtues1 as not  convenient for a       
follower of ,christ4    #f4 ,but as     
strict as the life of these ,christians 
was1 we must not  imagine it was        
melancholy4 ,no1 as they prayed without 
ceasing1 and  in every thing gave       
thanks1 so they rejoiced evermore4 ,they
 were  not disquieted by covetousness or
 ambition4 ,they were free from pride1  
malice1 envy1 and all that train of     

uneasy passions1 by which1 men of  the  
world are continually tormented3 not    
being attached to the goods of  the     
present life2 they were little touched  
with the calamities of it3  having      
always the peace of a good conscience1  
the joy of doing well1  and a full      
assurance of the favour of ,god1 both in
 time and in eternity4    #g4 ,nor did  
the care of their posterity give them   
any inquietude4 ,the  happiness they    
wished their children was no other1 than
 that they  desired for themselves1 even
 to finish their course with joy4 ,if   
they  left them orphans1 they knew the  
church would be their mother1 and       
supply all their wants4 ,thus they lived
 without care1 without fear1  without   
desire of any of the things of the      
world4 ,but not without  pleasure4 ,what
 pleasure1 7says ,tertullian7 is greater
 than contempt  of the world1 8contempt 
of death1 true liberty1 purity of       
conscience2  contentedness with all     
things8 ,you tread under foot the gods  

of the  ,heathens2 you heal diseases2   
you cast out devils2 you are led by  the
 ,holy ,ghost2 you live to ,god4 ,these 
are the pleasures2 these the  diversions
 of ,christians40                       
,,chapter ,,vi4           ,of their     
marriages1 their union and public       
assemblies4      #a4 ,,with all this    
disengagement from the world1 the       
greatest part of  the first ,christians 
were married4 ,they were sensible indeed
 of the  vast advantages1 which ,st4    
,paul observes belong to a single life4 
,and many accordingly chose it1 both men
 and women1 for the kingdom of  heaven's
 sake3 but they knew1 all men cannot    
receive this saying3  and therefore     
never condemned those who did not       
receive it4 ,those  who bred up orphans 
generally married them young1 and       
usually to their  own children4 ,for    
interest had nothing to do with their   
choice1 nor  indeed any other           
consideration but the glory of ,god4 ,in
 this1 as in  all important affairs1    

they failed not to consult the bishop2  
and when  all was fixed1 the marriage   
was publicly and solemnly celebrated in 
the church1 where it was consecrated by 
the blessing of the pastor1 and         
confirmed by the oblation of the holy   
eucharist4         8cendemned0 replaced 
with 8condemned0    #b4 ,the happiness  
of a ,christian marriage1 is thus       
represented by  ,tertullian4 8,two      
,christians bare the same yoke together2
 they are  but one flesh1 and one       
spirit4 ,they pray together2 they       
prostrate  themselves together2 they    
fast together2 they instruct2 and they  
exhort  each other4 ,they are together  
in the house of ,god and at the table of
  the ,lord2 in times of persecutions   
and peaceful times4 ,they give one      
another no uneasiness3 they conceal     
nothing from each other3 they stir  up  
one another to praise ,god1 to relieve  
the poor1 to visit the sick1  and not to
 be weary of offering any of those      
sacrifices wherewith ,god  is well      

pleased40    #c4 ,such was then the life
 of particular ,christians4 ,none       
regarded  himself alone4 ,but all the   
,christians of one place1 considered    
themselves as only one body4 ,they all  
knew each other1 not only  by their     
constantly meeting together in the      
public assemblies1 but  likewise by     
their embracing all opportunities1 of   
opening their hearts  to each other in  
private4 ,their joys and their griefs   
were common to  all4 ,if one received a 
particular blessing1 they all took part 
in it2  if one fell into sin1 they all  
implored mercy4 ,they lived together  as
 relations1 indeed as allied by nearer  
ties than those of flesh and  blood2 and
 called each other1 fathers1 children1  
brethren and  sisters1 according to     
their sex and age4    #d4 ,but the      
strictest union of all was between the  
bishops of the church4  ,they did       
nothing of importance1 but by common    
consent4 ,those of the  most distant    
provinces knew each other1 by character1

 at least1 and  held correspondence by  
letters4 ,and this it was easy to do by 
means  of the vast extent of the ,roman 
empire2 which 7as ,origen remarks7      
seems to have been formed on purpose1 to
 facilitate the preaching of  the       
gospel4 ,the church indeed soon extended
 itself beyond the empire  on every     
side4 ,and the farther it extended1 the 
more to be admired was  that uniformity 
of faith and manners which was among all
 ,christians3  true religion having     
corrected in this vast diversity of     
nations1 all  the barbarous and         
unreasonable customs of its followers4  
,so that the  universal church          
throughout the whole world1 was truly   
one body1 the  members whereof1 however 
distant from each other1 were all united
 in  one faith1 by fervent charity4     
#e4 ,the account which is given by one  
of the earliest writers of  their public
 assemblies1 is as follows3 8,on ,sunday
 all that live  either in the city or   
country1 meet together at the same      

place1  where the writings of the       
prophets and apostles are read2 then the
  bishop instructs and exhorts the      
people4 ,this ended1 we all rise up     
together 7for on all ,sundays they      
prayed standing1 in memory of the       
resurrection of our ,lord7 and pour out 
our souls in common prayers both  for   
ourselves1 and for all others throughout
 the world4 ,prayers being  over1 bread1
 and a cup of wine and water are brought
 to the bishop1  which he takes1 and    
offers up praise and glory to the       
,father of all  things1 through the name
 of his ,son and holy ,spirit4 ,the     
people answer  with joyful acclamations1
 ,amen6 ,then the consecrated elements  
the  eucharistical bread and wine are   
distributed to1 and partaken by1 all    
that are present1 and sent to the absent
 by the hands of the deacons40  ,but the
 martyr adds1 8,of this food none are   
allowed to be partakers1  but such only 
as are true believers1 and live         
according to ,christ's  precepts4 ,for  

we do not take this as common bread and 
common wine1 but  as the flesh and blood
 of the incarnate ,jesus40              
,,chapter ,,vii4                        
,of their persecutions4      #a4 ,,but  
notwithstanding the purity of their     
doctrine1 and the  unblameableness of   
their lives1 the ,christians found what 
their ,lord  had told them before1 that 
they should be hated of all men4        
,because  they were not of the world1   
therefore the world hated them4         
,therefore  was their name cast out as  
evil3 yea1 all manner of evil was said  
of them falsly2 and by all ranks of men2
 both unlearned and learned2  people and
 magistrates being against them4 ,and   
the prejudice was such1  that they were 
frequently condemned upon the bare name 
of ,christian1  without any farther     
examination4 ,this sufficed to destroy  
all their  good qualities2 it being a   
common saying1 8,caius ,sejus is a good 
man2 if he were not a ,christian40      
#b4 ,it's no wonder1 that this universal

 prejudice1 drew many  persecutions upon
 them3 a persecution commonly began by  
some edict  forbidding the ,christians  
to meet together4 ,the bishops gave     
notice of  this immediately1 and        
exhorted one another1 to redouble their 
prayers1  and to encourage the faithful 
to run with patience the race set before
  them4 ,then many retired1 and some    
even of the pastors1 while the rest     
remained with the people1 but carefully 
concealed1 knowing they were  the       
persons1 who would be sought for most   
diligently1 as those whose  destruction 
would probably occasion the dispersion  
of the whole flock4  ,indeed the rules  
of the church prohibited any1 wilfully  
to expose  themselves to danger1 or     
unnecessarily to provoke the ,heathens1 
and  draw persecution upon them4    #c4 
,when any ,christians were discovered   
and apprehended1 they were  brought     
before the magistrate1 who seated on his
 tribunal1 interrogated  them1 whether  
they were ,christians8 ,if they denied  

it1 they were  immediately set at       
liberty1 for they knew a ,christian     
would not save  his life by a lie4 ,if  
they confest they were ,christians1 all 
arts  were made use of to vanquish their
 constancy4 ,first1 by persuasion and   
promises1 then by threatnings1 and last 
of all by tortures4 ,sometimes  they    
endeavoured to surprize them into       
idolatry1 and then persuade them  that  
they could not retract4 ,they had always
 some idol and altar near4  ,on this    
they offered victims in their presence3 
of which they would  often force them to
 eat1 or to drink of the wine offered to
 the idol4  ,but this the ,christians   
resisted with all their strength3 nay1  
when  incense was laid upon their hands 
with burning coals1 they would not so   
much as shake off the coals for fear of 
seeming to offer the incense4    #d4    
,the usual methods to force them to deny
 the faith1 were1 to stretch  them upon 
the rack1 by cords fastened to their    
hands and feet1 and  drawn at both ends 

by pullies3 to hang them up by their    
hands with  weights tied to their feet3 
to beat them with rods or large         
battoons1  with thongs made of raw      
hides1 or with scourges that had balls  
of lead1  or iron points at the end4    
,while they were stretched on the rack1 
they  frequently applied burning coals  
or torches to their arms or sides3      
often at the same time tearing off their
 flesh with pincers or combs of  iron4  
,insomuch that the bones being laid     
bare1 and the intrails lying  uncovered1
 the flame entering into the body put an
 end to the life of  the sufferer4      
#e4 ,they who survived these tortures1  
and persisted in professing  themselves 
,christians1 were either executed or    
remanded to prison4  ,their prisons were
 only another sort of torture1 being    
commonly dark  and loathsome dungeons4  
,here they put fetters upon their hands 
and feet4  ,many had large pieces of    
wood hung at their necks3 many were     
chained  in the most uneasy postures1   

with weights fastened to their legs or  
arms4 ,sometimes they strewed the floor 
with small pieces of glass1 or          
fragments of earthen vessels1 on which  
they stretched out the prisoner1  naked 
as he was1 and wounded all over4 ,there 
they sometimes left them  to die of     
hunger and thirst and the festering of  
their wounds4 ,at other  times they     
carefully healed them1 but it was1 that 
they might torture  them anew4 ,they    
usually forbid their speaking to any    
person2 as knowing  that in this        
condition1 they had converted many      
,infidels1 and often the  jailor1 or    
even the soldiers that guarded them4    
,but they permitted them  to converse   
with any1 who were like to shake their  
resolution2 a father1  a mother1 a      
child1 a wife1 whose tender words1 or   
silent eloquence1  were another sort of 
temptation1 and often more dangerous    
than the  sharpest torments4    #f4 ,in 
the mean time their fellow ,christians  
did not forget them4 ,they  prayed for  

them without ceasing4 ,if they were not 
permitted to minister  to them in       
prison1 at least they attended them to  
the place of their  martyrdom4 ,they    
exhorted them 7often to the loss of     
their own lives7  to endure unto the    
end4 ,they observed their last words1   
which were  commonly prayers1 and       
fortified themselves by their example4  
,nor was it  to martyrs alone1 but to   
confessors also1 that they paid the     
greatest  honour2 that is1 those who had
 confest ,christ before the magistrate1 
though they had not yet resisted unto   
blood4                                  
,,chapter ,,viii4                       
,their care of the poor and sick4       
,their hospitality4 ,their patience4    
#a4 ,,the church took care of all who   
were unable to help themselves1 of      
whatever age or sex3 the blind1 the     
lame1 the maimed1 the decrepit2  and    
these they esteemed the treasure of the 
church4 ,they took likewise  a          
particular care of children2 not only of

 the orphan children of  ,christians1   
but of those whom their ,heathen parents
 exposed1 and  indeed of all others they
 could procure4 ,their end in all was1  
by  means of temporal1 to lead them to  
spiritual good4 ,therefore1 in like     
circumstances1 they relieved a          
,christian before a ,heathen1 and of    
,christians1 the most holy first4 ,for  
this every church had a common  stock1  
which the deacons distributed according 
to the orders of the  bishop1 after     
giving him an account of the conduct as 
well as wants  of the people committed  
to his charge4    #b4 ,and as soon as a 
stranger shewed1 that he was in the     
communion  of the church1 he was        
received with open arms3 for which end  
the  ,christians who travelled1 took    
letters of their bishop1 declaring the  
condition of the bearer3 whether he was 
a catechumen1 a penitent1  or one of the
 faithful3 beside which1 there were     
recommendatory  letters1 to distinguish 
priests1 deacons1 confessors1 and those 

who  stood in need of any particular    
assistance4    #c4 ,not that their      
hospitality was confined to their       
brethren4 ,it  extended to all1         
,heathens as well as ,christians4 ,of   
which we have  a remarkable instance in 
the case of ,st4 ,pacomius1 a young     
,roman  captain1 who being upon his     
march with his men1 and taking up his   
quarters in a city they came to1 was    
amazed to find the inhabitants  receive 
them with as much affection1 as if they 
had been their old  friends4 ,he        
enquired who they were8 ,and was        
answered1 they were a  people of a      
particular religion1 called ,christians4
 ,he desired to  be informed1 what the  
grounds of this religion were8 ,and this
 was the  beginning of his conversion4  
99#d4 ,but their care and tenderness    
toward the sick1 was yet more           
observable4 ,no difficulty1 no danger1  
no discouragements could  prevent their 
ministring to these4 ,when ,alexandria  
was dreadfully  afflicted with the      

plague1 in the time of the ,emperor     
,valerian1 they  confirmed their love   
even to their persecutors1 by assisting 
such as  were infected1 though many of  
them died with them4 ,and the priests   
constantly visited the sick ,christians1
 administered the holy eucharist1       
prayed with them and for them1 exhorted1
 comforted1 and commended their  souls  
to ,god4 ,they did not fear1 but desire 
death1 as only the gate  of eternity4   
,and even when their relations went     
before them1 they less  grieved for     
their own present loss1 than they       
rejoiced for their happy  deliverance1  
and in a stedfast hope of meeting them  
again in paradise4    99#e4 ,such were  
the manners of the ancient ,christians3 
such were  the followers of ,jesus      
,christ1 both in faith and practice1    
while  ,heathenism reigned1 and         
persecution continued4 ,this obliged    
them to a  continual sense of the       
presence of ,god and watchfulness over  
themselves3  every one expecting the    

hour when he should be betrayed by his  
wife1  his child1 or his nearest        
relation4 ,and herein was seen the      
patience  of the saints1 then a common  
name for all ,christians4 ,even in peace
  they daily looked for the return of   
war3 nor was that peace itself ever     
entire1 for many ,christians suffered1  
even to blood1 where there was  no open 
persecution3 and many of them were      
spoiled and pillaged with  impunity even
 at noon-day4 ,or1 if oppression and    
violence ceased for  awhile1 contempt   
and hate never ceased4 ,to speak and    
write all manner  of evil of the        
,christians1 to revile1 to mock at them1
 to turn them  into ridicule3 this was  
not only permitted1 but approved1       
applauded1  authorized4 ,but this moved 
them not3 neither unjust contempt1 nor  
ill-grounded calumnies drew from them   
any murmuring or complaint4  ,they      
continually returned good for evil4     
,they laboured1 if it had been          
possible1 to live peaceably with all    

men4 ,they studied all ways of  gaining 
their affections4 ,they conformed to all
 their innocent customs4  ,and of so    
doing1 they were never tired1 never     
overcome with evil1 even  where they    
could not overcome evil with good4      
#f4 ,their patience shone most with     
regard to princes and magistrates4      
,nothing could force them1 to speak evil
 of dignities4 ,they honoured  them as  
the ministers of ,god4 ,they paid them  
all the obedience1 which  consisted with
 their duty to him4 ,prest as they were 
by such injustice  and unheard-of       
cruelties1 they never thought of taking 
up arms for  their defence4 ,so far from
 it1 that as numerous as the ,christian 
soldiers were in all the ,roman armies1 
they never made use of the  arms they   
had in their hands1 but according to the
 orders of their  generals4 ,nay1 we see
 the entire legion of ,st4 ,mauritius1  
known by  the name of the ,theban       
legion1 suffering themselves to be      
massacred  without resistance1 rather   

than be wanting in their duty to ,god or
  ,csar4    #g4 ,this invincible        
patience forced at length all the powers
 of the  world to submit to the gospel4 
,the persecutions continued1 till in    
little more than three hundred years1   
there was a prodigious number  of       
,christians of all ranks and conditions4
 ,and hence came the extreme  cruelty of
 the last persecution4 ,but this like   
all the rest1 only  extended            
,christianity farther1 and established  
it so much the more  firmly1 till the   
,emperor ,constantine declared himself  
its protector4  ,the ,christians then   
began to live at ease1 but at the same  
time they  began to lose the ,christian 
spirit4 ,the world mixing with the      
church1 effected as a friend what it    
never could while an open enemy3  it    
transfused its own spirit into the      
servants of ,christ1 who became         
insensibly lovers of the world1 lovers  
of themselves1 and lovers  of pleasure  
more than lovers of ,god4 ,for with the 

love of the world  entered every unholy 
desire1 every earthly1 sensual1 devilish
  passion3 which from that time have    
abounded more and more1 and so shall    
do1 till the time approaches for the    
restitution of all things4              
,,the                                   
,,doctrine of ,,salvation1              
,,faith and ,,good ,,works3             
,extracted from the ,homilies of the    
,church of ,england4                    
,to the ,,reader4    ,,he that desires  
more perfectly to understand these great
 doctrines of  ,christianity1 ought     
deligently to read the holy scriptures1 
especially  ,st4 ,paul's epistles to the
 ,romans and the ,galatians4 ,and1      
8whosoever giveth his mind to holy      
scriptures1 with deligent study and     
burning desire1 it cannot be that he    
should be left without help4 ,for       
either ,god will send him some godly    
doctor to teach him1 or ,god himself1   
from above1 will give light unto his    
mind1 and teach him those things  which 

are necessary for him3 man's human and  
worldly wisdom or science  is not       
needful to the understanding of         
scripture2 but the revelation  of the   
,holy ,ghost1 who inspireth the true    
meaning into them that which  humility  
and deligence search for it40           
,homily of reading the holy scriptures4 
,of the salvation of mankind4    #a4    
,,because all men are sinners against   
,god1 and breakers of his law1          
therefore can no man by his works be    
justified and made righteous  before    
,god4 ,but every man is constrained to  
seek for another  righteousness1 or     
justification1 to be received at ,god's 
own hands4 ,and  this justification1 or 
righteousness1 which we receive of      
,god's mercy1  and ,christ's merits     
embraced by faith1 is taken1 accepted1  
and allowed  of ,god for our perfect and
 full justification4 ,for the more clear
 and  full understanding hereof1 it is  
our part ever to remember1 how that  all
 the world1 being wrapt in sin1 ,god    

sent his only ,son into the world1  by  
shedding his blood1 to make satisfaction
 to his ,father for our sins1  to       
asswage his indignation conceived       
against us4    #b4 ,insomuch that       
infants being baptized1 and dying in    
their infancy1  are by this sacrifice   
washed from their sins4 ,and they who in
 act or  deed sin after their baptism1  
when they turn again to ,god            
unfeignedly1  are likewise washed by    
this sacrifice from their sins1 in such 
sort  that there remaineth not any spot 
of sin1 that shall be imputed to  their 
damnation4 ,this is that justification1 
which ,st4 ,paul speaketh  of1          
7,galatians ii47 ,no man is justified by
 the works of the law3 but  by faith in 
,jesus ,christ4 ,and again1 we are      
justified by the faith  of ,christ1 and 
not by the works of the law3 for by the 
works of the law  shall no flesh be     
justified4    #c4 ,the great wisdom of  
,god in this mystery of our redemption1 
hath  tempered his justice and mercy    

together4 ,his mercy he sheweth1 in     
delivering us from our captivity1       
without requiring any ransom to be      
paid1 or amends to be made on our parts2
 which thing by us had been  impossible 
to be done4 ,and whereas it lay not in  
us to do that1 he  provided a ransom for
 us1 that was1 the precious body and    
blood of his  own ,son4 ,and so the     
justice of ,god and his mercy together1 
fulfilled  the great mystery of our     
redemption4    #d4 ,of this justice and 
mercy of ,god knit together1 speaketh   
,st4 ,paul  in the third chapter to the 
,romans4 ,all have sinned and come short
  of the glory of ,god3 but are         
justified freely by his grace1 through  
the redemption that is in ,jesus        
,christ3 whom ,god hath set forth to be 
a  propitiation1 through faith in his   
blood4 ,and in the #ajth1 ,christ is    
the end of the law for righteousness to 
every one that believeth3 ,and  in the  
#hth chapter1 ,that which was impossible
 by the law1 inasmuch as  it is weak    

through the flesh1 ,god sending his own 
,son in the likeness  of sinful flesh1  
and for sin1 condemned sin in the flesh3
 that the  righteousness of the law     
might be fulfilled in us1 who walk not  
after  the flesh but after the spirit4  
#e4 ,in these places the apostle        
toucheth especially three things1 which 
must go together in our justification4  
,upon ,god's part1 his great  mercy and 
grace2 upon ,christ's part1 the         
satisfaction of ,god's justice1  by the 
offering his body1 and shedding his     
blood2 and upon our part1  true and     
lively faith in the merits of ,jesus    
,christ4 ,so that in our  justification 
there is not only ,god's mercy and      
grace1 but his justice  also4 ,and so   
the grace of ,god doth not shut out the 
righteousness of  ,god in our           
justification2 but only shutteth out the
 righteousness of  man2 that is to say1 
the righteousness of our works4    #f4  
,and therefore ,st4 ,paul declareth     
nothing on the behalf of man1           

concerning his justification1 but only a
 true and lively faith1 which  itself is
 the gift of ,god4 ,and yet that faith1 
doth not shut our  repentance1 hope1    
love1 and the fear of ,god1 to be joined
 with faith in  every man that is       
justified4 ,but it shutteth them out    
from the office  of justifying4 ,so that
 although they be all present together  
in him  that is justified1 yet they     
justify not altogether4    #g4 ,neither 
doth faith shut out good works1         
necessary to be done  afterwards1 of    
duty towards ,god3 7for we are most     
bounden to serve ,god1  in doing good   
works1 commanded in scripture1 all the  
days of our life74  ,but we may not do  
them with this intent1 to be justified  
by doing  them4 ,for all the good works 
we can do1 are not able to deserve our  
justification3 but our justification    
cometh freely of the mere mercy  of     
,god3 and of so great and free mercy1   
that whereas all the world was  not able
 to pay any part towards their ransom1  

it pleased him1 without  any of our     
deserving1 to prepare for us the most   
precious jewels  of ,christ's body and  
blood1 whereby our ransom might be paid1
 the  law fulfilled1 and his justice    
satisfied4 ,so that ,christ is now the  
righteousness of all them that truly    
believe in him4    #h4 ,ye have heard1  
that no man can be justified by his own 
works1  inasmuch as no man fulfilleth   
the law3 and ,st4 ,paul in his epistle  
to the ,galatians1 proveth the same1    
saying1 ,if there had been a  law given 
which could have justified1 verily      
righteousness should have  been by the  
law4 ,and again1 ,if righteousness come 
by the law1 then  is ,christ dead in    
vain4 ,and to the ,ephesians he saith1  
7chapter ii47  ,by grace are ye saved   
through faith2 and that not of          
ourselves3 it is  the gift of ,god3 not 
of works1 lest any man should boast4    
,and to be  short1 the sum of all       
,paul's disputation is this1 ,if        
righteousness  come of works1 then it   

cometh not of grace3 and if it come of  
grace1  then it cometh not of works4    
,and to this end tend all the prophets1 
as ,st4 ,peter saith1 7,acts x4 #dc47   
,to him give all the prophets  witness1 
that through his name1 whosoever        
believeth in him shall  receive         
remission of sins4    #i4 ,and that we  
are justified only by this true and     
lively faith  in ,christ1 speak all the 
ancient authors2 especially ,origen1    
,st4  ,cyprian1 ,st4 ,chrysostom1       
,hilary1 ,basil1 ,st4 ,ambrose1 and     
,st4 ,augustin3 by which they take away 
clearly all merit of our works1  and    
wholly ascribe our justification unto   
,christ only4 ,this faith  the holy     
scripture teacheth us1 is the strong    
rock and foundation of  the ,christian  
religion4 ,this doctrine all ancient    
authors of ,christ's  church do approve4
 ,this doctrine setteth forth the true  
glory of ,christ1  and beateth down the 
vain glory of man4 ,this whosoever      
denieth1 is not  to be accounted for a  

,christian man1 nor for a setter forth  
of ,christ's  glory2 but for an         
adversary to ,christ and his gospel1 and
 for a setter  forth of man's           
vain-glory4    #aj4 ,but that this true 
doctrine of justification by faith may  
be truly  understood1 observe1 that     
justification is the office of ,god     
only2  and is not a thing which we      
render unto him1 but which we receive of
  him by his free mercy1 through the    
only merits of his beloved ,son4  ,and  
the true sense of this doctrine1 we are 
justified freely by faith  without      
works1 or1 we are justified by faith in 
,christ only1 is  not1 that this our own
 act to believe in ,christ1 or this our 
faith  in ,christ1 which is within us1  
doth justify us2 7for that were to      
account ourselves to be justified by    
some act or virtue that is within       
ourselves7 but that although we have    
faith1 hope1 and charity within  us and 
do never so many works thereunto2 yet we
 must renounce the merit  of all1 of    

faith1 hope1 charity and all other      
virtues and good works1  which we either
 have done1 shall do1 or can do1 as far 
too weak to  deserve our justification3 
for which therefore we must trust only  
in  ,god's mercy1 and the sacrifice     
which ,christ offered for us on the     
cross4    #aa4 ,as then ,john ,baptist1 
as great and godly a man as he was1 yet 
in  this matter of forgiving sin put the
 people from him1 and pointed them  to  
,christ1 saying1 ,behold the ,lamb of   
,god which taketh away the sins  of the 
world3 even so as great and godly a     
virtue as faith is1 it  putteth us from 
itself1 and pointeth us to ,christ1 to  
have only by him  remission of sins or  
justification4 ,so that our faith as it 
were1 saith  unto us thus3 ,it is not ,i
 that taketh away your sins4 ,it is     
,christ  only1 and to him alone ,i send 
you for that purpose2 forsaking all your
  good virtues1 words1 thoughts1 and    
works1 and putting your trust in        
,christ only4    #ab4 ,and in truth1    

neither our faith nor our works do      
justify us2 that  is1 deserve remission 
of our sins3 but ,god himself doth      
justify us1 of  his own mercy1 thro' the
 merits of his ,son only4 ,nevertheless1
 because  by faith given us of ,god1 we 
embrace the promise of ,god's mercy1 and
 of  the remission of our sins2         
therefore the scripture saith1 that     
faith  doth justify1 yea1 ,faith without
 works4 ,and as it is all one to say1   
,faith without works1 and only faith    
doth justify us1 therefore the  ancient 
fathers from time to time speak thus3   
,only faith justifieth  us1 meaning no  
other than ,st4 ,paul meant when he     
saith1 ,faith  without works justifieth 
us4 ,and because this is wrought through
 the  only merits of ,christ1 and not   
thro' our merits1 or thro' the merit  of
 any virtue we have within us1 or of any
 work that cometh from us3  therefore1  
in that respect1 we renounce1 as it     
were1 again1 faith1  works1 and all     
other virtues4 ,for our corruption      

through original sin  is so great1 that 
all our faith1 charity1 words and works 
cannot merit  or deserve any part of our
 justification for us4 ,and therefore we
 thus  speak1 humbling ourselves to     
,god1 and giving to our ,saviour ,christ
 all  the glory of our justification4   
#ac4 ,to justify then1 is the office of 
,god to man4 ,our office and duty  to   
,god is not to pass our time sinfully or
 unfruitfully3 for this were  to serve  
the devil1 and not ,god4 ,for that faith
 which bringeth not  forth repentance1  
but either evil works1 or no good works1
 is not a  right1 pure and living faith1
 but a dead and devilish one1 as ,paul  
and ,st4 ,james call it4 ,for even the  
devils believe1 ,that ,christ  was born 
of a virgin3 that he wrought all kind of
 miracles1 declaring  himself very ,god3
 that for our sakes he suffered a most  
painful death1  to redeem us from death 
everlasting3 that he rose again the     
third day3  that he ascended into       
heaven1 and sitteth at the right-hand of

 the  ,father1 and at the end of the    
world shall come again to judge both the
  quick and the dead4 ,these articles of
 our faith the devils believe1  and so  
they believe all that is written in the 
,old and ,new ,testament4  ,and yet for 
all this faith1 they be but devils4     
,they remain still in  their damnable   
estate1 lacking the very true ,christian
 faith4    #ad4 ,the right and true     
,christian faith1 is not only to believe
 that  holy scripture1 and the articles 
of our faith are true2 but also1  to    
have a sure trust and confidence1 to be 
saved from everlasting  damnation by    
,christ2 whereof doth follow a loving   
heart to obey his  commandments4    #ae4
 ,and this true ,christian faith1       
neither any devil hath1 nor yet any     
man1 who1 in his receiving the          
sacraments1 in coming to church1 and in 
all other outward appearances1 seemeth  
to be a ,christian1 and yet in  his life
 sheweth the contrary4 ,for how can a   
man have this true faith1  sure trust   

and confidence in ,god1 that by the     
merits of ,christ his sins  are         
forgiven1 and be reconciled to the      
favour of ,god1 when he denieth  ,christ
 in his works8 ,surely no ungodly man   
can have this faith1 and  trust in ,god6
         8he0 replaced with 8be0    #af4
 ,if we do truly believe1 that whereas  
we were condemned to hell  and death    
everlasting1 ,god hath given his own son
 to take our nature  upon him1 and to   
suffer death for our offences1 to       
justify us1 and to  restore us to life  
everlasting3 if we truly believe1 that  
he hath made  us his dear children1     
brethren unto his only son1 and         
inheritors with  him of his eternal     
kingdom of heaven2 these great and      
merciful benefits  of ,god will move us 
to render ourselves unto ,god wholly1   
with all our  hearts1 might1 and power1 
to serve him in all good works1 to seek 
in  all things his glory2 evermore      
dreading to offend in word1 thought1 or 
deed1 such a merciful ,god and loving   

,redeemer4 ,they will also move us1  to 
be ever ready for his sake to give      
ourselves to our neighbours1 and  as    
much as lieth in us1 to study with all  
our endeavour1 to do good to  every man4
 ,these are the fruits of true faith1 to
 do good1 as much as  lieth in us1 to   
every man2 and above all things1 and in 
all things1 to  advance the glory of    
,god3 to whom be praise and honour1     
world without  end6                     
,of true ,christian faith4    #a4 ,,the 
first coming unto ,god is through faith1
 whereby we are justified  before ,god2 
but lest any man should be deceived1 for
 want of a right  understanding thereof1
 it is diligently to be noted1 that     
faith is  taken in scripture two ways3  
there is one faith1 which the scripture 
calleth a dead faith4 ,and this1 by ,st4
 ,james1 is compared to the  faith of   
devils1 who believe and tremble1 and yet
 do nothing well3  and such a faith as  
this have wicked ,christians1 who       
profess they know  ,god1 but in works   

deny him4    #b4 ,this faith is1 a      
persuasion that there is a ,god1 and a  
belief of  all the truths contained in  
his word4 ,so that it consisteth only in
  believing that the word of ,god is    
true4 ,and this is not properly called  
faith4 ,but as he that readeth ,csar's  
commentary1 tho' he believeth  it to be 
true1 yet he is not properly said1 to   
believe in ,csar1 even  so he that      
believeth all the bible to be true1 and 
yet liveth ungodly1  is not properly    
said to believe in ,god4 ,for inasmuch  
as faith without  works is dead1 it is  
not faith1 as a dead man is not a man4  
#c4 ,another faith there is in          
scripture1 which is not idle or         
unfruitful1  but 7as ,st4 ,paul         
declares7 working by love4 ,and as that 
is called  a dead faith1 so this may be 
called a quick or living faith4 ,this is
  not only a belief of the articles of  
our faith2 but also a true trust  and   
confidence of the mercy of ,god through 
our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and  a        

stedfast hope of all good things at     
,god's hand3 a confidence1 that  tho' we
 should fall from him by sin1 yet if we 
return to him by true  repentance1 he   
will forgive our offences for his ,son's
 sake2 and make  us inheritors of his   
everlasting kingdom3 that in the mean   
time he will  be our protector and      
defender1 and not withdraw his mercy    
finally from  us1 if we commit ourselves
 wholly unto him1 hang only upon him1   
and  call upon him1 ready to obey and   
serve him4 ,this is the true1 living    
,christian faith2 which is not in the   
mouth1 and outward profession only1  but
 it liveth and stirreth inwardly in the 
heart3 and this faith is not  without   
hope and trust in ,god1 nor without the 
love of ,god1 and of our  neighbour nor 
without the fear of ,god1 nor without   
the desire to hear  ,god's word1 and to 
follow the same1 in avoiding evil1 and  
gladly doing  all good works4           
,it is the doctrine of the church of    
,england1 to which every        minister

 of our church hath subscribed1 in      
subscribing the        #ceth article1   
,that1 8without1 or before this1 can no 
good        work be done40    #d4 ,of   
this faith1 three things are specially  
to be noted2 first1 that  it is fruitful
 in bringing forth good works2 secondly1
 that without  it can no good works be  
done3 thirdly1 what good works this     
faith doth  bring forth4    #e4 ,for the
 first1 as light cannot be hid1 but will
 shew itself at  one place or other2 so 
true faith cannot be hid1 but will break
 out1  and shew itself by good works4   
,and as the living body of a man ever   
exerciseth such things as belong to a   
living body1 for nourishment and        
preservation of the same2 even so the   
soul that hath a living faith1  will be 
always doing some good work1 which shall
 declare that it is  living4 ,therefore1
 if any man fancy he is set at liberty  
from doing  good works1 it is a manifest
 token he hath no true faith2 yea he    
knoweth not what true faith meaneth4    

,for true ,christian faith is not  only 
a belief of all the things of ,god which
 are contained in holy  scripture2 but  
also an earnest trust and confidence in 
,god that he  is careful over us1 as the
 father is over the child whom he       
loveth1  and that he will be merciful to
 us for his son's sake4 ,and this true  
faith1 when we consider what ,god hath  
done for us1 is also moved  thro'       
continual assistance of the ,spirit of  
,god1 to serve and please  him1 to keep 
his favour1 to fear his displeasure1 to 
continue his  obedient children2 shewing
 thankfulness by observing his          
commandments2  considering how clearly1 
without our deservings1 we have freely  
received his mercy and pardon4    #f4   
,therefore1 if it do not appear in our  
conversation1 the faith we  pretend to  
have is but feigned3 because true faith 
is manifestly shewn  by good living1 and
 not by words only3 as ,st4 ,augustin   
saith1 ,good  living cannot be separated
 from true faith1 which worketh by love3

  and ,st4 ,chrysostom1 ,faith is full  
of good works2 and as soon as a  man    
believeth1 he shall be adorned with     
them4 ,how plentiful it is in  good     
works1 ,st4 ,paul teacheth at large in  
the #aath chapter to the  ,hebrews2     
evidently declaring1 that true faith is 
no unfruitful thing1  but a thing of    
perfect virtue1 of wonderful operation  
and strength1  bringing forth all good  
motions and good works4    #g4 ,every   
man therefore must diligently examine   
himself1 whether he hath  this faith in 
his heart or not4 ,he that feeleth his  
heart set to seek  ,god's honour and    
leadeth not his life after his own      
desire1 but setteth  his mind to serve  
,god1 and for his sake to love all his  
neighbours1  whether they be friends or 
adversaries1 doing good to every man1   
7as  opportunity serveth7 and willingly 
hurting no man2 such a man may well     
rejoice in ,god1 perceiving by his life1
 that he hath a living faith4  ,but he  
that doth not live according to ,god's  

words1 deceiveth himself  if he think he
 believeth in him4    #h4 ,let us then  
by our works declare our faith to be the
 living  ,christian faith3 and by such  
virtues as ought to spring out of faith4
  ,let us add to1 or in our faith1      
virtue2 in our virtue1 knowledge2  in   
our knowledge1 temperance2 in our       
temperance1 patience2 in our  patience1 
godliness2 in our godliness1            
brotherly-kindness2 and in              
brotherly-kindness1 charity4 ,so shall  
we both certify our conscience1  that we
 are in the right faith1 and also       
confirm other men4 ,if you feel  and    
perceive such a faith in you1 rejoice in
 it1 and be diligent to  maintain it4   
,let it be daily encreasing more and    
more by good works2  so shall you be    
sure that you shall please ,god1 and    
when his will is1  receive the end of   
your faith1 even the salvation of your  
souls4    #i4 ,the second thing that was
 noted of true faith was1 that without  
it can no good works be done3 for as the

 branch cannot bear the  fruit itself1  
saith ,christ1 except it abide in the   
vine2 no more  can ye1 except ye abide  
in me4 ,i am the vine2 ye are the       
branches3  he that abideth in me and ,i 
in him1 he bringeth forth much fruit3   
for  without me ye can do nothing4 ,and 
,st4 ,paul proveth that ,enoch had      
faith1 because he pleased ,god3 for     
without faith1 saith he1 it is          
impossible to please him4    #aj4 ,faith
 giveth life to the soul3 and they are  
as much dead to ,god who  want faith1 as
 they are to the world1 whose bodies    
want souls4 ,without  faith all we do is
 but dead before ,god1 be it ever so    
glorious before  man4 ,even as a picture
 is but a dead representation of the    
thing itself2  so are the works of those
 who have not faith before ,god4 ,they  
are  but shadows of good and living     
things1 and not good and living things  
indeed3 ,for without faith no work is   
good before ,god4 ,we must set no  good 
works before faith4 8,let no man1 saith 

,st4 ,augustin1 reckon upon  his good   
works before his faith2 for where faith 
was not1 good works  were not4 ,there is
 one work in which are all good works1  
that is1 faith  which worketh by love4  
,if thou hast this1 thou hast the ground
 of all  good works3 without this1 thou 
hast only the shadows of them40    #aa4 
,to the same purpose1 saith ,st4        
,chrysostom1 8,many who have not  the   
true faith1 yet flourish in works of    
mercy2 but the chief work  is lacking1  
to believe in him whom ,god hath sent4  
,so soon as a man  hath faith1 he shall 
flourish in good works4 ,for faith is   
full of good  works1 and nothing is good
 without faith4 ,they that shine in good
 works  without faith1 are like dead men
 who have goodly and precious tombs4    
,faith cannot be but naked without good 
works1 for then it is no true  faith2   
and when it is joined to works1 yet it  
is above the works4 ,for  as men first  
have life1 and after are nourished2 so  
must our faith in  ,christ go before1   

and after be nourished with good works4 
,and life may  be without nourishment1  
but nourishment can't be without life4  
,a man  must needs be nourished by good 
works1 but first he must have faith4    
,he that doth good works1 yet without   
faith1 he hath no life4 ,i can  shew a  
man that by faith without works lived   
and came to heaven3 but  without faith  
never man had life4 ,the thief that was 
hanged when ,christ  suffered1 did      
believe only2 and the most merciful ,god
 justified him4  ,faith by itself saved 
him2 but works by themselves never      
justified any  man40    #ab4 ,the third 
thing to be noted of true faith is1 what
 good works  it doth bring forth4 ,and  
this ,christ himself hath plainly       
declared1  ,if thou wilt enter into     
life1 keep the commandments4 ,so that we
 are  taught by ,christ's own mouth1    
that the works of the commandments of   
,god  are the true works of faith1 the  
very way that doth lead to everlasting  
life4    #ac4 ,wherefore as ye have any 

regard for everlasting life1 apply      
yourselves above all things to read and 
hear ,god's word2 mark  diligently what 
his commandments are1 and with all your 
endeavour  follow the same4 ,first1 you 
must have an assured faith in ,god1 and 
give  yourselves wholly unto him2 love  
him in prosperity and adversity1 and    
dread to offend him evermore4 ,then for 
his sake1 love all men1 friends  and    
foes1 because they are his creatures and
 image1 and redeemed by  ,christ as ye  
are4 ,cast in your mind how you may do  
good unto all men1  unto your power1 and
 hurt none4 ,obey all your superiors and
 governors2  serve your masters         
faithfully and diligently2 disobey not  
your fathers  and mothers1 but honour1  
help1 and please them to your power4    
,oppress  not1 kill not1 beat not1      
neither slander nor hate any man3 but   
love  all men1 speak well of all men1   
help and succour every man as you may1  
yea1 even your enemies that hate you1   
that speak evil of you1 and hurt  you4  

,take no man's goods1 nor covet your    
neighbour's goods2 but be  content with 
your own1 and bestow them charitably1 as
 need requireth4  ,flee all idolatry1   
witchcraft1 perjury2 commit no manner of
 adultery1  fornication1 or other       
unchastity in will or deed4 ,and        
labouring  continually in thus keeping  
the commandments1 which1 wrought in     
faith1  ,god hath ordained to be the    
path-way unto heaven1 you shall not fail
 to  come to that everlasting life1     
where you shall live in glory with ,god 
for ever4                               
,an ,,abridgment of the                 
,,pilgrim's ,,progress                  
,from this ,,world                      
,to that which is to come4      ,,as ,i 
walked through the wilderness of this   
world1 ,i laid me down to  sleep1 and as
 ,i slept1 ,i dreamed2 and behold1 ,i   
saw a man cloathed with  rags1 standing 
with his face from his house1 a book in 
his hand1 and  a great burthen upon his 
back4 ,i looked and saw him open the    

book and  read therein2 and as he read  
he wept and trembled3 ,and not being    
able  longer to contain1 he broke out1  
saying1 ,what shall ,i do to be saved8  
,in this plight he went home1 and       
refrained himself as long as he could1  
that his wife and children might not    
perceive his distress4 ,but his  trouble
 so increased that he soon burst out1   
8,o my dear wife1 and you  the children 
of my bowels1 ,i am undone by reason of 
this burthen which  lieth so hard upon  
me4 ,moreover1 ,i am certainly informed1
 that this  our city will shortly be    
destroyed with fire from heaven2 in     
which  overthrow we shall all miserably 
perish1 except some way of escape be    
found40 ,at this they were sore amazed2 
not that they believed what he  said1   
but because they thought him distempered
 in his head4 ,however1  hoping sleep   
might settle him again1 they in all     
haste got him to bed4    ,but the night 
was as grievous to him as the day4      
,instead of sleeping1  he spent it in   

sighs and tears4 ,and in the morning1   
when they asked  him 8how he did0 he    
told them1 8worse and worse40 ,they then
 thought to  drive away his distemper by
 harsh and surly carriage to him4       
,sometimes  they would deride1 sometimes
 chide1 and sometimes quite neglect him4
  ,wherefore he began to retire more to 
his chamber1 to pray for them1 and  to  
bemoan his own misery4 ,he would also   
walk solitary in the fields1  sometimes 
reading1 and sometimes praying4 ,and    
thus for some days he  spent his time4  
,now ,i saw1 upon a time when he was    
walking in the fields1 that he  was1 as 
he was wont1 reading his book2 and as he
 read1 he burst out as  before1 saying1 
,what must ,i do to be saved8    ,i saw 
also1 that he looked this way and that  
way as if he would run2  yet he stood   
still1 because 7as ,i perceived7 he     
could not tell which  way to go4 ,i     
looked then and saw a man1 called       
,evangelist1 coming to  him1 who asked1 
8 ,wherefore dost thou cry80    ,he     

answered1 8,sir ,i perceive by the book 
in my hand1 that ,i am  condemned to    
die1 and after that to come to judgment4
 ,and ,i find ,i am  not willing to do  
the first1 nor able to do the second40  
,then said ,evangelist1 8why not willing
 to die80 ,the man answered1  because ,i
 fear that this burden which is on my   
back will sink me lower  than the grave4
 ,and1 ,sir1 if ,i am not fit to go to  
prison1 ,i am not fit  to go to         
judgment40    8,but said ,evangelist1 if
 this be thy condition1 why standest    
thou  still80 ,he answered1 8because ,i 
know not whither to go40 ,then said     
,evangelist1 pointing over a wide field1
 8do you see yonder little  gate8 ,go up
 directly to it and knock2 and it shall 
be told thee what  thou shalt do40      
,so ,i saw in my dream1 that the man    
began to run4 ,he had not run far1      
before his wife and children perceiving 
it1 began to cry after him to  return3  
,but he stopped his ears and ran on1    
crying1 ,life1 life6 eternal  life1     

without once looking behind him4    ,the
 neighbours also came out1 and as he ran
 some mocked1 others  threatened1 and   
some called to him to return4 ,and of   
these1 two  resolved to fetch him back  
by force2 the name of the one was       
,obstinate1 of the other ,pliable4 ,he  
was now got a good distance  from them2 
however1 in a little time they overtook 
him4 ,then said the  man1 8,neighbours1 
wherefore are you come80 ,they said1    
8,to persuade you  to go back with us40 
,but he said1 8,that cannot be2 you     
dwell in the  city of ,destruction1 the 
place also where ,i was born4 ,and if   
you die  there1 you will sink into a    
place that burns with fire and          
brimstone4  ,be content1 good           
neighbours1 and go along with me40      
8,pliablel0 replaced with 8,pliable0    
,what1 said ,obstinate1 and leave our   
friends and all our comforts  behind us8
    ,yes1 said ,christian1 7that was his
 name7 for all these are not worthy  to 
be compared with the least part of what 

,i seek2 and if you will go  with me1   
there is enough and to spare4           
,obstinate4 ,what are the things you    
seek1 since you leave all the  world to 
find them8    ,christian4 ,i seek an    
inheritance1 incorruptible1 undefiled1  
and that  fadeth not away8              
,obstinate4 ,tush1 away with your cant4 
,will you go back with us or no8        
,christian4 ,no1 not ,i4 ,i have put my 
hand to the plough4    ,obstinate4 ,come
 then1 neighbour1 let us go home without
 him4 ,there  is a company of these     
crazy coxcombs1 that when they get a    
fancy by  the end1 are wiser in their   
own eyes than seven men that can render 
a reason4    ,pliable4 ,don't revile4   
,who knows but what he says is true8 ,i 
have  almost a mind to go with him4     
,obstinate4 ,what more fools still8     
,come back1 come back4 ,who knows       
whither a madman may lead you8          
,christian4 ,nay1 but come with me1 to  
the glory which shall be  revealed4 ,and
 if you believe not me1 read here in    

this book1 the  truth of which is       
confirmed by the blood of him that made 
it4    ,pliable4 ,neighbour ,obstinate1 
,i think ,i will go with this good man1 
and cast in my lot with him4            
,obstinate4 ,then get you gone4 ,i will 
e'en go home4 ,i will be no  companion  
for such whimsical fellows4    ,now ,i  
saw in my dream1 that when ,obstinate   
was gone back1 ,christian  and ,pliable 
went on talking together4    ,pliable4  
,come neighbour1 since we are alone1    
tell me farther what the  things are to 
which we are going4    ,christian4 ,i   
can better conceive than speak them4    
,there is a kingdom  that cannot be     
moved1 a house eternal in the heavens1  
where we shall  shine as the firmament1 
and as the stars for ever and ever4     
,pliable4 ,and what company shall we    
have there8    ,christian4 ,there will  
be an innumerable company of angels1 ten
  thousand times ten thousand1 and      
thousands of saints1 of holy men1 out   
of every kindred and people1 and nation4

 ,there we shall see those who  were cut
 in pieces1 burnt with fire1 eaten with 
beasts1 for the love  they bore to the  
,lord of the place2 having now overcome 
sin1 and death1  and pain1 and put on   
immortality as a garment4    ,pliable4  
,glad am ,i to hear of these things4    
,come on let us mend our  pace4    ,now 
,i saw in my dream1 that they drew nigh 
to a slough that was in  the midst of   
the plain1 7it was called ,despond7 and 
being heedless1  they both suddenly fell
 in4 8,ah1 neighbour1 said ,pliable1    
where are  we now80 ,truly1 said        
,christian1 ,i do not know4 ,at this    
,pliable was  much offended1 and said1  
8,is this the happiness you talked of   
all this  while8 ,if we have such ill   
speed at setting out1 what may we not   
expect  before our journey's end8 ,if ,i
 get out hence with my life1 you shall  
have the brave country alone for me40   
,and with that he gave a desperate      
struggle or two and got out of the mire 
on the side next his own house4  ,so    

away he went1 and ,christian saw him no 
more4    ,wherefore ,christian was left 
in the slough alone2 but still he       
struggled toward that side which was    
farthest from his own house1 yet  could 
not get out1 because of his burthen4    
,but ,i beheld a man come to  him1 whose
 name was ,help1 and asked1 8,what he   
did there40    ,christian4 ,sir1 ,i was 
directed to go by this way to yonder    
gate2 and  as ,i went1 ,i fell in here4 
,then said he1 8,give me thy hand40 ,so 
he gave him his hand1 and he drew  him  
out1 and set him on firm ground4    ,but
 ,christian had not gone far1 before one
 met him1 who was crossing  over the    
plain4 ,the gentleman's name was        
,worldly ,wiseman4 ,having  some        
knowledge of ,christian by report1 7for 
his leaving the city of  ,destruction   
was noised far and near7 he began thus3 
,world4 ,how now good fellow1 whither   
away8    ,christian4 ,sir1 ,i am going  
to yonder little gate4    ,world4 ,wilt 
thou hearken to me1 if ,i give thee     

counsel8    ,christian4 ,yea1 if it be  
good1 ,i will4    ,world4 ,i counsel    
thee then1 get rid of that burthen with 
all speed1  else thou wilt never be     
settled in thy mind4    ,christian4     
,that is what ,i seek2 but get it off   
myself ,i cannot3 nor  is there any man 
in our country can take it off4         
,world4 ,who bid you go this way to be  
rid of it8    ,christian4 ,one that     
appeared to me1 a great and honourable  
person4  ,his name ,i think1 is         
,evangelist4    ,world4 ,beshrew him for
 his counsel4 ,there is not a more      
dangerous or  troublesome way in the    
world than this4 ,hear me2 ,i am older  
than thou4  ,thou art like to meet in   
the way thou now goest1 weariness1      
painfulness1  nakedness1 hunger1 peril1 
sword2 death itself1 and what not8      
,christian4 ,sir1 this burden is worse  
than all these4 ,i care not what  ,i    
meet with1 so ,i get rid of this4       
,world4 ,how camest thou by it at first8
    ,christian4 ,by reading this book4  

,world4 ,i thought so4 ,so it has fared 
with other weak men2 who1  meddling with
 things too high for them1 suddenly fall
 into distraction1  and run desperate   
ventures to obtain they know not what4  
,christian4 ,i know what ,i would       
obtain4 ,it is ease from my burthen4    
,world4 ,hadst thou but patience to     
hear1 ,i could direct thee to obtain    
that1 without running into any of these 
dangers4    ,christian4 ,pray1 ,sir1    
open this secret to me4    ,world4 ,why1
 in yonder village there lives a        
gentleman1 whose name is  ,legality1 a  
very judicious man1 and of good credit  
and fashion3 he  has helped abundance of
 men off with such burthens as thine    
are4    ,christian4 ,sir1 which is my   
way to his house8    ,world4 ,you must  
go by yonder high hill1 and the first   
house you come  at is his4    ,so       
,christian turned out of his way4 ,but  
when he was got hard by the  hill1 it   
hung so much over the way1 that he was  
afraid to venture on1  lest it should   

fall upon his head4 ,wherefore he stood 
still1 and knew  not what to do4        
,likewise his burthen seemed heavier    
than before4 ,there  came also flashes  
of fire out of the hill1 that made him  
afraid he  should be burnt3 insomuch    
that he now quaked for fear1 and was    
sorry he  came out of his way4 ,and with
 that he saw ,evangelist coming to meet 
him1 at the sight of whom he blushed for
 shame3 so he came up to him1  and with 
a severe countenance said4              
,evangelist4 ,what dost thou here8 ,to  
which he knew not what to answer1  but  
stood speechless before him4            
,evangelist4 ,art thou not the man whom 
,i found crying without the  walls of   
the city of ,destruction8    ,christian4
 ,yes1 ,sir1 ,i am4    ,evangelist4 ,did
 ,i not direct thee to the little gate8 
,how is it that  thou art so quickly    
turned aside8    ,christian4 ,i met a   
gentleman who told me1 ,i might find one
 in yonder  village that could take off 
my burthen4    ,then said ,evangelist1  

stand still a little that ,i may tell   
thee  the words of the ,lord4 ,so he    
stood trembling4 ,then ,evangelist said1
  ,see that ye refuse not him that      
speaketh3 for if they escaped not who   
refused him that spoke on earth1 much   
more shall not we escape1 if we  turn   
away from him that speaketh from heaven3
 for the just shall live  by faith2 but 
if he draw back1 my soul shall have no  
pleasure in him4    ,then ,christian    
fell down at his feet as dead4 ,but     
,evangelist caught  him by the          
right-hand1 and said1 ,all manner of    
sins and blasphemies  shall be forgiven 
unto men3 be not faithless but          
believing4 ,at  this his spirit a little
 revived1 and he stood up trembling     
before  ,evangelist4    ,then           
,evangelist said1 ,give more earnest    
heed unto the things that  ,i shall tell
 thee of4 ,there are three things in the
 counsel of the man  that met thee1     
which thou must utterly abhor4    #a4   
,his turning thee out of the way4    #b4

 ,his labouring to make the cross odious
 to thee4    #c4 ,his setting thy feet  
in the way that leadeth to death4       
,first1 ,thou must abhor his turning    
thee out of the way2 for this is  to    
reject the counsel of ,god1 seeing the  
,lord saith1 ,strive to enter  in at the
 strait gate1 the gate to which ,i sent 
thee4    ,secondly1 ,abhor his labouring
 to make the cross odious to thee2 for  
thou art to prefer it before the        
treasures of ,egypt4 ,besides the  ,lord
 hath said1 ,if any man come after me1  
and hate not his father and  mother1 and
 wife and children1 and brethren and    
sisters1 yea1 and his  own life also1 he
 cannot be my disciple4 ,the doctrine   
therefore which  teacheth to hate or    
shun the cross1 thou must utterly abhor4
    ,thou must1 lastly1 abhor his       
setting thy feet in the way that leadeth
  to death4 ,for he to whom thou wast   
sent1 legality by name1 is the  son of  
the bondwoman3 and this is mount ,sinai1
 which gendereth unto  bondage1 and unto

 death eternal4 ,he cannot free any man 
of his burthen3  nor is it possible he  
should2 for by the works of the law     
shall no  flesh living be justified4    
,after this ,evangelist called aloud to 
the heavens for the  confirmation of    
what he had said4 ,and there came words 
and fire out of  the mountain4 ,the     
words were these1 ,as many as are of the
 works of the  law are under the curse3 
for it is written1 ,cursed is every one 
that  continueth not in all things which
 are written in the book of the law  to 
do them4    ,now ,christian looked for  
nothing but death1 and cried out with a 
bitter cry3 nevertheless1 turning to    
,evangelist1 he said1 8,sir1 ,is  there 
any hope8 ,may my sin be forgiven8 ,may 
,i yet go back1 and enter  in at that   
gate8 ,shall ,i not be sent away with   
shame80    ,then ,evangelist said1 8,thy
 sin is great2 yet it may be forgiven2  
the  man at the gate will let thee in3  
but take heed thou turn not aside       
again1 lest if his wrath be kindled1    

yea1 but a little1 thou perish  from the
 way40    ,so he went on with haste2    
neither spoke he to any by the way4 ,he 
went  as one treading on forbidden      
ground2 and could not think himself     
safe1  till he got into the way1 out of 
which he had turned before4 ,he then    
went on with all his might till he came 
to the gate2 over which was  written1   
,knock1 and it shall be opened unto you4
 ,he knocked therefore  more than once  
or twice4 ,at last there came a grave   
person to the gate1  named ,goodwill1   
who asked1 8,who was there80            
,christian4 ,here is a poor burthened   
sinner4 ,i come from the city of        
destruction1 and am going to ,mount     
,zion2 and ,i understand ,i am to  go   
thro' this gate1 if you are willing to  
let me in4    ,i am willing with all my 
heart1 said he1 and with that he opened 
the  gate4    ,when ,christian was      
stepping in1 the other pulled him       
suddenly4 ,then  said ,christian1 ,what 
means that8 ,he replied1 a little way   

off is  a strong castle1 of which       
,beelzebub is the captain2 from whence  
he  continually shoots at those who come
 to this gate1 if haply they may  die   
before they can enter in4 ,then said    
,christian1 8,i rejoice and  tremble40  
,goodwill4 ,but who directed you hither8
    ,christian4 ,one named ,evangelist1 
who said1 that you would tell me  what  
,i must do4    ,goodwill4 ,an open door 
is set before thee1 and no man can shut 
it4  ,but how is it thou art come alone8
    ,christian4 ,one of my neighbours   
came with me a little way2 but then  he 
was discouraged1 and went back2 and ,i  
also soon after turned aside1  to go in 
the way of death4 ,so that1 had not     
,evangelist met me again1  ,i had never 
come hither4 ,and ,o6 what a favour is  
this to me1 that ,i am  suffered to     
enter here6    ,goodwill4 ,we make no   
objections against any4 ,whatever they  
have done  before they came1 if they    
knock1 the gate is opened to them4 ,him 
that  cometh1 we in no wise cast out4   

,but come with me1 and ,i will teach    
thee concerning the road4 ,dost thou    
see this narrow way8 ,that is the way   
thou must go4 ,it was cast up by  the   
patriarchs1 prophets1 ,christ and his   
apostles4    ,christian4 ,but are there 
no ways that turn out of this8          
,goodwill4 ,yes1 many2 but they are     
crooked and wide4 ,the right way  only  
is strait and narrow4 ,go on therein1   
till thou comest to the house  of the   
interpreter1 and he will shew thee      
excellent things4    ,so ,christian went
 on till he came to the house2 where he 
knocked1 and  asked for the master of   
the house4 ,to whom1 when he came1 he   
spoke thus4    ,sir1 ,i am a man that am
 come from the city of ,destruction1 and
 am  going to mount ,zion4 ,and ,i was  
informed by him at the gate1 that if  ,i
 called here1 you would shew me         
excellent things4    ,then said the     
,interpreter1 8,come in1 and ,i will    
shew thee that which  will be profitable
 to thee40 ,so he took him by the hand1 

and led him  into a large parlour that  
was full of dust4 ,after a while he     
called for  a man to sweep2 which he had
 no sooner begun to do1 than the dust so
  abundantly flew about1 that ,christian
 was almost choaked4 ,then the          
,interpreter said to a damsel1 8,bring  
hither water1 and sprinkle the  room40  
,after which it was easily swept and    
cleansed4    ,this parlour1 said the    
,interpreter to ,christian1 is the heart
 of  a natural man4 ,the dust is his    
original sin1 and inward corruptions1   
of every kind4 ,he that first began to  
sweep is the law2 she that  sprinkled   
it1 is the gospel4 ,now whereas thou    
sawest1 that by his  sweeping1 the dust 
was only raised1 and the room not       
cleansed at all2  this is to shew thee1 
that the law1 instead of cleansing the  
heart  from sin1 doth revive and        
increase it in the soul4 ,for1 by the   
law  is only the knowledge of sin2 but  
not deliverance from it4    ,again1     
,thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the    

room2 after which it was  cleansed with 
pleasure3 this is to shew thee1 that    
when the gospel  comes into the heart1  
sin is easily subdued2 and the soul made
 clean  thro' faith1 and fit for the    
king of glory to inhabit4    ,he then   
led me into a place1 where was a fire   
burning against a wall1  and one        
continually casting water upon it1 yet  
could he not quench it1  but the flame  
rose higher than before4    ,this fire1 
said he1 is the work of grace that is   
wrought in a believing  heart4 ,he that 
casts water upon it is the devil4 ,yet  
can he not quench  it1 for the reason   
thou shalt now see4 ,so he carried him  
to the other  side of the wall1 where   
was a man with a vessel of oil in his   
hand1 out  of which he continually cast 
into the fire1 ,then said ,christian1   
,what  means this8    ,the ,interpreter 
answered1 ,this is ,christ1 who         
continually1 with the  oil of his grace1
 maintains the work already begun in the
 heart1 so  that the devil cannot quench

 it4 ,and he stands behind the wall1 to 
shew  it is hard for the tempted to see 
how this work is maintained in his      
soul4    ,he then took him by the hand1 
and led him into a pleasant place1 where
  was a stately palace3 on the top of   
which were certain persons walking1  who
 were cloathed all in gold4 ,at the door
 below stood a great company  of men1   
desirous to go in1 but yet afraid4 ,for 
in the door-way stood  many armed men1  
to keep it1 and drive all back4 ,at last
 a man of a  stout countenance came up1 
drew his sword1 put a helmet on his     
head1  and rushed into the midst of the 
armed men1 who fell upon him with all   
their force4 ,but after receiving and   
giving many wounds1 he cut his  way     
through them all1 and went in4 ,then was
 heard a pleasant voice from  within    
saying1                    ,come in1    
soldier of ,christ1 come in3            
,eternal glory thou shalt win6    ,i    
verily think1 said ,christian1 ,i know  
the meaning of this2 now then  let me go

 hence4    ,stay1 said the ,interpreter1
 till ,i have shewed thee a little more4
  ,then he took him by the hand again1  
and led him into a dark room1 where  sat
 a man in an iron cage2 his eyes were   
fixed on the ground1 his hands  folded  
together1 and he sighed as if he would  
break his heart4    ,then said          
,christian1 8,what art thou80 ,he       
replied1 ,i am a man of  despair3 ,i am 
so fast in prison that ,i cannot get    
forth4    ,christian4 ,but how camest   
thou there8    ,man4 ,i left off to     
watch and pray2 ,i sinned against light 
and love2  ,i grieved the ,spirit1 and  
he is gone from me2 ,i tempted the      
devil1 and  he is come into me2 ,i      
defied ,god1 and he hath forsaken me4   
duplicate word 8and0 removed            
,christian4 ,but have you no hope8 ,the 
,son of the ,blessed is of tender       
mercy4    ,man4 ,but ,i have crucified  
him to myself afresh1 ,i have counted   
his blood an unholy thing1 ,i have done 
despite to the spirit of  grace3 and    

there remaineth no more sacrifice for   
sin2 but a certain  fearful looking for 
of fiery indignation1 which shall devour
 me as an  adversary4    ,christian4    
,but can'st thou not repent8    ,man4   
,no1 never2 for ,i have quenched the    
,spirit4 ,o eternity1 eternity6  ,who   
can tell the length of eternity8        
,christian4 ,well1 ,god help me to watch
 and pray4,sir1 is it not time  for me  
to go on my way8    ,interpreter4 ,i    
will shew thee one thing more1 and thou 
shalt go4 ,so  he led him into a chamber
 where was one rising out of bed1 who   
shook  and trembled exceedingly3 then   
said ,christian1 8,why dost thou tremble
  thus80 ,this night1 said he1 as ,i was
 in my sleep1 ,i dreamed1 and behold    
the heavens were exceeding black3 also  
it thundered and lightened on  every    
side4 ,so ,i looked up and saw the skies
 divide3 and ,i heard a  great sound of 
a trumpet3 and ,i saw one descend1      
sitting on a cloud1  attended with the  
thousands of heaven2 they were all      

arrayed with  flaming fire3 also the    
heavens were in a burning flame4 ,i then
 heard a  voice out of the fire saying1 
8,arise ye dead and come to judgment20  
and  behold the rocks rent1 the graves  
were opened1 and the dead that were     
therein came forth3 some of those looked
 up1 and were exceeding glad1  and some 
sought to hide themselves under the     
mountains4 ,then ,i saw him  who sat    
upon the cloud open a book1 and bid the 
world draw near2 yet  was there a       
distance1 by reason of a fierce flame   
which issued out1  and came before him4 
,i heard it also proclaimed to them that
 attended  on him who sat upon the      
cloud1 8,gather together the tares and  
chaff1  and cast them into the lake that
 burneth with brimstone20 and the       
bottomless pit opened her mouth1 and    
there came forth smoak and coals  of    
fire4 ,it was also proclaimed1 8,gather 
the wheat into my garner20 and  ,i saw  
many caught up in the clouds1 but ,i was
 left4 ,i then called to  the mountains 

to fall upon me1 and the rocks to cover 
me1 but in vain3  for the man that sat  
upon the cloud still kept his eye upon  
me4 ,then  came all my sins to my       
remembrance1 and fear was on every side2
 so ,i  awoke4    ,then said the        
,interpreter to ,christian1 8,keep these
 things in thy  mind1 that they may be  
as a goad in thy side wherever thou     
goest2 and  the comforter be always with
 thee1 and guide thee in the way that   
leads  to the city40    ,now ,i saw in  
my dream1 that the highway up which ,i  
was to go1 was  fenced on every side    
with a wall1 called salvation4 ,up this 
way he  ran1 till he came at a place    
where stood a cross1 and somewhat below1
  a sepulchre4 ,just as ,christian came 
to the cross1 his burthen loosed1  fell 
off1 and rolled down1 till it came to   
the mouth of the sepulchre1  where it   
fell in2 and ,i saw it no more4    ,then
 was ,christian glad1 and said with a   
merry heart1 ,the life that  ,i now     
live1 ,i live by faith in the ,son of   

,god2 who loved me1 and gave  himself   
for me4         8life0 replaced with    
8live0    ,then he stood awhile to look 
and wonder1 even till the tears ran down
  his cheeks2 and as he stood1 three    
shining ones came and saluted him  with1
 ,peace be unto thee4 ,then the first   
said unto him1 thy sins are  forgiven   
thee2 the second striped him of his     
rags1 and cloathed him  with change of  
raiment2 and the third set a mark on his
 forehead1 and  gave him a roll1 with a 
seal upon it1 which he bid him look on  
as he  ran1 and give it at the gate of  
the city4    ,i beheld then that he went
 on rejoicing1 till he came to the foot 
of  the hill difficulty4 ,at the bottom 
of this was a spring1 of which  he      
drank1 and was refreshed1 and then he   
began to go up the hill4  ,sometimes he 
ran2 then walked2 then climbed on his   
hands and knees1  because of the        
steepness of the place4 ,now1 about the 
midway to the top  of the hill1 was a   
pleasant arbour1 planted by the ,lord of

 the hill1  for the relief of weary     
travellers4 ,here therefore he sat down 
to rest1  and pulled his roll out of his
 bosom1 to read therein1 and comfort    
himself4 ,he also began to survey his   
new raiment1 till he fell into  a       
slumber1 and thence into a fast sleep1  
which held him till it was  almost      
night3 and1 in his sleep1 his roll fell 
out of his hand4 ,then  came one to him 
and said1 ,go to the ,ant1 thou         
sluggard2 consider her  ways1 and be    
wise4 ,on this he started up1 and went  
apace till he came  to the top of the   
hill4    ,he now felt in his bosom for  
his roll1 that he might read therein1   
and be comforted3 but he found it not4  
,then was he much perplexed1 and  knew  
not what to do4 ,at last he bethought   
himself1 that he had slept  in the      
arbour on the side of the hill2 and     
falling down1 he asked ,god  forgiveness
 for his folly1 and then went back to   
look for his roll4 ,but  all the way he 
went1 who can tell the sorrow of his    

heart8 ,sometimes he  sighed1 sometimes 
he wept2 mean while1 looking carefully  
on each side1  if in any wise he might  
find it4 ,he went thus till he came in  
sight  of the arbour1 where he had sat  
and slept4 ,but that sight renewed his  
grief1 till he broke out1 8,o wretched  
man that ,i am6 ,that ,i should  sleep  
in the midst of difficulty6 ,that ,i    
should use that rest for ease  to my    
flesh1 which was intended only for the  
relief of the spirits of  weary         
pilgrims6 ,how far might ,i have been on
 my way by this6 ,and now  also the day 
is far spent40 ,by this time he was come
 to the arbour  again2 where1 looking   
under the seat he espied his roll2 with 
trembling  and haste he caught it up4   
,but who can tell how joyful he was8    
,for  this roll was the assurance of his
 life and acceptance at the desired     
haven4 ,he laid it up in his bosom1 gave
 ,god thanks1 and with tears of  joy    
betook himself again to his journey4 ,he
 got up the hill just as the  sun went  

down2 when1 lifting up his eyes1 he     
beheld a stately palace  before him1    
which stood by the high-way side4    ,so
 he made haste and went forward1 that if
 possible he might get  lodging there4  
,but before he had gone far1 he entered 
into a narrow  passage1 about a furlong 
from the porter's lodge3 when1 looking  
carefully before him as he went1 he     
espied two lions in the way4 ,then  he  
was afraid1 and thought to go back2 but 
the porter perceiving him to  make a    
halt1 cried out1 8,is thy strength so   
small8 ,fear them not4 ,they  are       
chained2 and are placed there for the   
trial of thy faith1 keep in  the midst  
of the path1 and no hurt shall come unto
 thee40    ,then ,i saw that he went on1
 though trembling1 till he came to the  
gate1  and asked1 if he might lodge     
there8    ,porter4 ,i will call one of  
the house4 ,so he rung a bell1 and there
  came out a damsel1 named ,discretion2 
who1 after asking him several           
questions1 said1 8,i will call out one  

or two more of the family20 so  she ran 
to the door1 and called ,piety1 and     
,charity2 who1 after a  little more     
discourse with him1 brought him in2 and 
many meeting him at  the entrance1 said1
 8,come in thou blessed of the ,lord2   
this house was  built to entertain      
travellers to ,zion40    ,they sat      
talking together till supper was ready4 
,and at the table also1  all their talk 
was about the ,lord of the hill1 what he
 had done2 how  great a warrior he was2 
and how he had fought with and slain him
 that  had the power of death2 though   
not without great danger to himself1 and
  the loss of much blood4    ,thus they 
discoursed till late at night2 and then 
,christian was laid  in a large upper   
chamber1 the name of which was ,peace4  
,in the morning  they shewed him the    
records of the greatest antiquity3 in   
which was the  pedigree of the ,lord of 
the hill1 the son of the ,ancient of    
days4 ,here  also were fully shewn the  
acts he had done1 and the worthy deeds  

of  many of his servants1 who had       
subdued kingdoms1 wrought righteousness1
  stopt the mouths of lions1 quenched   
the violence of fire2 escaped the  edge 
of the sword1 waxed valiant in fight1   
and turned to flight the  armies of the 
aliens4    ,the next day they took him  
into the armory1 where they shewed him  
all  manner of furniture1 provided for  
pilgrims2 swords1 shields1 helmets1     
breast-plates1 and shoes that would     
never wear out4 ,and there was here     
enough of these to arm as many men as   
there are stars in heaven for           
multitude4    ,they then armed him from 
head to foot1 lest he should meet with  
assaults by the way4 ,and when he set   
out1 ,piety1 ,charity1 and  ,discretion 
accompanied him to the foot of the hill4
 ,then said  ,christian1 8,as it was    
difficult coming up this hill1 so ,i see
 it is  dangerous going down40 8,it is  
so10 said ,charity1 8for it is a hard   
thing for a man to go down into the     
valley of humiliation1 and catch  no    

slip by the way40 ,when they were come  
to the bottom1 they gave him a  loaf of 
bread1 a bottle of wine1 and a cluster  
of raisins2 and then he  went on his    
way4    ,he had gone but a little way in
 the valley1 before he espied a foul    
fiend coming to meet him2 his name was  
,apollyon4 ,then did he cast in  his    
mind1 whether to go back1 or stand his  
ground4 ,but he considered he  had no   
armour for his back1 and therefore      
resolved to stand4 ,so he went  on1 and 
,apollyon met with him4 ,now the monster
 was hideous to behold4  ,he was        
cloathed with scales2 he had wings like 
a dragon2 out of his  belly came fire   
and smoak1 and his mouth was as the     
mouth of a lion4  ,he beheld ,christian 
with a disdainful look1 and began to    
question him  thus3    ,apollyon4       
,whence comest thou8 ,and whether dost  
thou go8    ,christian4 ,i came from the
 city of ,destruction and am going to   
mount ,zion4    ,apollyon4 ,thou art one
 of my subjects4 ,all that country is   

mine4 ,i am  the prince and god of it4  
,how is it that thou art fled from thy  
king4    ,christian4 ,i was your        
subject2 but your service was hard1 and 
,i  could endure it no longer4          
,apollyon4 ,since thou complainest of my
 service1 go back with me2 and  whatever
 our country affords1 ,i will give thee4
    ,christian4 ,but ,i have hired      
myself to another1 even the ,king of    
,kings4  ,how then can ,i go back8      
,apollyon4 ,it is common for those that 
have professed themselves his  servants1
 after a while to return to me4 ,do thou
 so1 and all shall be  well4            
,christian4 ,i have sworn allegiance to 
him2 and how can ,i go from this1       
without being a traitor4    ,apollyon4  
,thou didst the same to me2 and yet ,i  
will pass by all1 if  thou wilt now     
return4    ,christian4 ,i tell thee1    
once for all1 ,i like his service1 his  
wages1  his government1 his servants1   
his company1 and country1 better than   
thine2 and him only will ,i serve4      

,apollyon4 ,yet consider in cool blood1 
what thou art like to meet with  in the 
way that thou goest4 ,how many of his   
servants came to ill ends8  ,how many   
have been put to shameful deaths8 ,and  
yet1 as good a master as  he is1 he     
cometh not to deliver them out of my    
hands4    ,christian4 ,his delaying to  
deliver them1 is on purpose to try their
  love4 ,and as for their ill end1 as   
thou callest it1 that is their glory4   
,for present deliverance they ask it    
not2 being content to wait for  their   
reward1 till their ,prince shall come4  
,apollyon4 ,but what reward shalt thou  
have1 who hast already been  unfaithful 
in thy service to him4    ,christian4   
,wherein8    ,apollyon4 ,thou didst     
faint at setting out1 in the slough of  
,despond4  ,thou didst attempt wrong    
ways to be rid of thy burthen4 ,thou    
didst  sinfully sleep1 and lose thy     
choice things4 ,thou wast well nigh     
frighted back by the lions4 ,and when   
thou talkest of thy journey1 and  of    

what thou hast seen and heard1 there is 
pride in all thou sayest4    ,christian4
 ,all this is true1 and much more4 ,but 
the ,king ,i serve is a  merciful ,king2
 yea1 ,i know1 he is merciful to my     
unrighteousness1 and  my sins he        
remembreth no more4    ,then ,apollyon  
broke out into a rage1 and said1 8,i am 
an enemy to thy  ,king4 ,i hate his     
person1 his people1 his laws4 ,i am come
 out on purpose  to withstand thee40    
,christian4 ,beware what thou dost4 ,i  
am in the ,king's highway1 the way  of  
holiness4    ,then did ,apollyon stride 
quite over the way1 and said1 8,i am    
void of  fear in this matter4 ,prepare  
thyself to die4 ,for no farther shalt   
thou  go4 ,here will ,i spill thy soul40
    ,with that he threw a flaming dart  
at his breast3 but ,christian caught  it
 with his shield1 and drew his sword    
while ,apollyon continued  throwing     
darts as thick as hail4 ,this made      
,christian give a little  back2 but he  
soon took courage again3 yet the combat 

lasted for above  half a day1 he at     
length began to grow faint and weary4   
,apollyon seeing this1 came up close to 
,christian1 and wrestling  with him1    
gave him a dreadful fall2 and withal    
,christian's sword flew  out of his     
hand4 ,then said ,apollyon1 8,i am sure 
of thee now40 ,but as  he was fetching  
his last blow1 ,christian nimbly        
stretched out his  hand for his sword1  
and caught it1 saying1 ,rejoice not     
against me1 ,o  mine enemy2 when ,i     
fall1 ,i shall arise2 and with that he  
gave him a  dreadful thrust1 which made 
him draw back4 ,christian perceiving    
this1  made at him again1 saying1 ,nay1 
in all these things we are more than    
conquerors through him that loveth us4  
,but ,apollyon1 spread forth  his       
dragon's wings1 and fled away1 that     
,christian saw him no more4    ,then    
there came to him a hand with some of   
the leaves of the tree of  life1 which  
he applied to his wounds1 and they were 
immediately healed4  ,after this he     

addressed himself to his journey1 but   
with his sword  drawn in his hand4 ,now 
at the end of this valley was another   
called1  ,the valley of the ,shadow of  
,death4 ,the prophet ,jeremiah describes
  it thus1 ,a wilderness1 a land of     
deserts and of pits1 a land of  drought1
 a land that no man 7but a ,christian7  
passeth through1 and  where no man      
dwelt4         ,n4 ,b4 ,i cannot learn1 
either from scripture or experience1    
that every ,christian passes through    
this4    ,on the right-hand of this     
valley was a deep ditch1 that is it into
  which the blind have led the blind1 in
 all ages1 and have both there          
miserably perished together4 ,on the    
left1 there was a dangerous  quagmire1  
into which whoever falls1 7as ,david did
 once7 finds no  bottom for his foot to 
stand on4    ,the path also was         
exceeding narrow4 ,so that when         
,christian sought to  shun the ditch1 he
 was ready to drop into the mire2 and   
when he sought  to shun the mire1 to    

fall into the ditch4 ,likewise the night
 was so  dark1 that often when he lift  
up his foot1 he knew not where he should
  set it next4    ,about the midst of   
the valley was the mouth of hell2 and it
 stood hard  by the way side4 ,now1     
thought ,christian1 ,what shall ,i do8  
,for ever  and anon the smoak and flame 
would come out1 with such abundance of  
sparks and hideous noises1 that he found
 no weapon availed but prayer4  ,so he  
cried aloud1 with all his might1 ,o     
,lord ,i beseech thee deliver  my soul4 
,he walked on a great while in the midst
 of the flames4 ,also  he heard doleful 
voices1 and rushing to and fro2 so that 
sometimes he  thought he should be      
trodden down like mire in the streets4  
,thus he  went on for several miles1    
till he heard a company of fiends coming
  forward to meet him4 ,at this he knew 
not what to do2 but at length  resolved 
to go on4 ,they seemed to come nearer   
and nearer2 but when they  were just    
come up1 he cried out1 with a most      

vehement voice1 ,i will  walk in the    
strength of the ,lord ,god4 ,so they    
gave back1 and came no  further4    ,i  
took notice1 that ,christian was now so 
amazed1 he did not know  his own voice3 
for just as he was over-against the     
mouth of the pit1  one of the wicked    
ones stepped up softly1 and whispered   
many grievous  blasphemies to him1 which
 he verily thought had proceeded from   
his own  mind4    ,when he had travelled
 thus for some time1 he heard the voice 
of one  before him1 saying1 ,though ,i  
walk through the valley of the ,shadow  
of  ,death1 ,i will fear no evil2 for   
thou art with me4    ,then he was glad1 
hoping to have company by and by2 so he 
hasted on1  and in awhile the day broke4
 ,then said ,christian1 ,he hath turned 
the  ,shadow of ,death1 into the        
morning4    ,he now looked back1 not out
 of a desire to return1 but to see the  
dangers he had gone through4 ,he feared 
them more before2 but he saw  them now  
more clearly1 because of the light of   

the day4 ,and about this  time the sun  
arose1 which was another mercy4 ,for as 
dangerous as the  first part of the     
valley was1 the second was more         
dangerous still4 ,the  way from the     
place where he now stood1 even to the   
end1 being so full  of snares1 traps1   
and nets2 and also of pits1 deep holes1 
and shelvings  down1 that1 had it now   
been dark1 he must have perished4 ,then 
said  he1 ,his candle shineth on my     
head1 and1 by his light1 ,i go through  
darkness4    ,in this light he walked to
 the end of the valley1 and came to a   
small  ascent2 from whence looking      
forward1 he saw ,faithful a little way  
before him2 to whom ,christian cried1   
8,stay1 stay1 till ,i come up40  ,but   
,faithful answered1 8,no2 ,i cannot stay
 for none2 ,i am upon my life2  the     
avenger of blood is behind me40    ,at  
this ,christian was somewhat moved1 and 
putting forth all his  strength1 he soon
 got up with ,faithful1 and outwent him4
 ,so the last  was first4 ,then did     

,christian smile1 because he had got the
 start of  his brother3 but not taking  
heed to his feet1 he suddenly stumbled  
and  fell2 nor could he rise again1 till
 ,faithful came to help him4    ,then ,i
 saw in my dream1 they went lovingly on 
together1 discoursing of  many things4  
,christian4 ,how long after me did you  
stay in the city of  ,destruction8      
,faith4 ,till ,i could stay no longer2  
it being in every one's mouth1  that the
 city would shortly be destroyed with   
fire from heaven4    ,christian4 ,but   
why then did no more of them come with  
you8    ,faith4 ,i do not think they    
firmly believed it1 else they could not 
have staid there4    ,christian4 ,did   
you hear no talk of neighbour ,pliable8 
,faith4 ,o yes3 he is now despised of   
all4 ,he is seven times worse  than if  
he had never set out4                   
8,christian0 replaced with 8,faith0     
,christian4 ,but why should they despise
 him1 since they despise the  way which 
he forsook8    ,faith4 ,they say1 8,o   

hang him3 he is a turncoat2 he was not  
true to  his profession40 ,god has      
stirred up his enemies to hiss at him1  
and  make him a proverb1 because he has 
forsaken the way4    ,christian4 ,did   
you escape the slough of ,despond8      
,faith4 ,yes1 but ,i met with one1 whose
 name was ,wanton1 that had  like to    
have done me a mischief4    ,christian4 
,how did you avoid it8    ,faith4 ,i    
remembered an old writing1 which said1  
,her steps take hold  of hell4 ,so ,i   
shut my eyes4 ,then she railed on me1   
and ,i went my way4    ,christian4 ,did 
you meet with no other assault8         
,faith4 ,yes3 at the foot of the hill   
,difficulty1 ,i met with a very  aged   
man1 who asked1 8,if ,i would be content
 to live with him80 ,i asked  him his   
name2 he said it was ,adam the ,first4  
,i asked what wages he  would give8 ,he 
told me1 ,i should be his heir4 ,then ,i
 asked1 how long  time he would have me 
live with him8 ,and he told me1 8,as    
long as he  lived himself40             

,christian4 ,and what conclusion did you
 come to8    ,faith4 ,at first ,i was   
inclined to go with him2 but looking on 
his  forehead1 ,i saw there written1    
,put off the old man with his deeds4    
,christian4 ,and how then8    ,faith4   
,then it came strongly into my mind1    
that however he flattered  me now1 when 
he got me home to his house1 he would   
sell me for a slave4  ,so ,i bade him   
say no more1 for ,i would not come near 
the door of his  house4 ,then he reviled
 me and said1 8,he would send such a one
 after me1  as would make my way bitter 
to my soul40 ,so ,i turned away from    
him2 but  just as ,i turned1 ,i felt him
 take hold of my flesh1 and give me such
 a  deadly twitch1 that ,i thought he   
had pulled part of me after him4 ,this  
made me cry1 ,o wretched man6 ,so ,i    
went on up the hill4    ,when ,i was but
 half-way up1 ,i looked behind me and   
saw one coming after  me1 swift as the  
wind4 ,so soon as he overtook me1 down  
he knocked me1  and laid me for dead4   

,when ,i was come a little to myself ,i 
asked him1  ,why he used me so8 ,he     
said1 for inclining to ,adam the ,first4
 ,and with  that he struck me another   
blow on the breast1 and beat me down    
backward4  ,when ,i came to myself      
again1 ,i cried for mercy4 ,but he said1
 8,i know  not to shew mercy20 and      
knocked me down again4 ,he had doubtless
 made an  end of me2 but that one came  
by1 and bade him 8forbear40             
,christian4 ,who was he that bid him    
forbear8    ,faith4 ,i did not know him 
at first2 but as he went by1 ,i saw the 
holes in his hands and in his side4     
,christian4 ,the man that overtook you  
was ,moses4 ,he spareth none  that      
transgress his law4 ,but did you not see
 the house on the top of  the hill8     
,faith4 ,yes2 but it was about noon4 ,so
 ,i past by4    ,christian4 ,did you    
meet no one in the valley of            
,humiliation8    ,faith4 ,yes1 ,i met   
with one ,shame3 but ,i think he bears  
the wrong  name2 for ,i could not get   

quit of him4 ,he would never have done4 
,christian4 ,why1 what did he say to    
you8    ,faith4 ,he said1 it was a low  
mean thing to mind religion2 and that  a
 tender conscience was an unmanly thing3
 that few of the mighty1 or  rich1 or   
wise1 regarded it2 nor any of them1 till
 they became fools2  till they were     
persuaded to venture the loss of all1   
for no body knows  what4 ,he objected   
also1 the base and low estate of most of
 those who  minded religion2 likewise   
their ignorance and want of learning1   
yea1 of  natural understanding4 ,he     
said1 ,it was a shame to sit whining    
under a  sermon1 and to come sighing and
 groaning home3 that it was a shame to  
ask my neighbour forgiveness2 to make   
restitution1 if ,i had taken from  any2 
and1 above all1 to renounce all the men 
of credit and reputation1  and to       
consort only with the poor and base4    
,christian4 ,and what did you say8      
,faith4 ,i knew not what to say at      
first1 till it came into my mind1  ,that

 which is highly esteemed of men1 is had
 in abomination with ,god4  ,then ,i saw
 what ,god says is best1 is so1 though  
all the men in the  world are against   
it4 ,therefore they who are fools for   
,christ's sake1  are the wisest of men2 
and the poor man that loveth him1 is    
richer than  he who hath thousands of   
gold and silver4 ,i then said with a    
loud voice1  ,shame1 depart6 ,thou art  
an enemy to my salvation4 ,i am not     
ashamed  of the gospel of ,christ2      
neither of his ways1 nor of his         
servants4  ,i will confess them all     
before men4 ,so shall he confess me     
before my  ,father which is in heaven4  
,christian4 ,did you meet no body else  
in the valley8    ,faith4 ,no2 for ,i   
had sunshine all the rest of the way1   
and also  through the valley of the     
,shadow of ,death4    ,as they went on1 
,faithful looking on one side1 saw one  
walking at a  distance4 ,he was a tall  
man1 and more comely at a distance than 
at hand4  ,faithful accosted him in this

 manner3    ,faith4 ,friend1 whither    
away8 ,are you travelling toward mount  
,zion8    ,man4 ,to the very same4      
,faith4 ,i hope then we shall have your 
good company4    ,man4 ,with all my     
heart4    ,faith4 ,come then1 let us    
pass the time in discoursing of things  
profitable4    ,man4 ,it is very        
acceptable to me to talk of good things4
 ,i am glad  ,i have met those that     
incline to so good a work4 ,for1 to     
speak the  truth1 there are but few that
 care thus to spend their time1 but     
rather  to speak of unprofitable things4
 ,and this hath been a trouble to me4   
,for what is so pleasant as to talk of  
the things of ,god8 ,who would not      
delight to talk of miracles1 wonders1   
and signs1 which are so sweetly  penned 
in the holy scripture8    ,faith4 ,but1 
to be profited by the things we talk of 
should be our  chief design4    ,man4   
,without doubt4 ,and what so profitable 
as to talk of these  things8 ,of the    
vanity of earthly things1 and the       

excellency of things  above8 ,or more   
particularly1 of the insufficiency of   
our own1 and  the need of ,christ's     
righteousness8 ,of the necessity of the 
new birth1  repentance1 faith1 and      
prayer1 and all the graces of the holy  
,spirit8    ,faith4 ,i am glad to hear  
this from you4    ,man4 ,alas1 for want 
of this it is that so few understand the
 nature  of faith1 and the necessity of 
an inward change1 in order to eternal   
life3 but ignorantly live in the works  
of the law1 by which no flesh  can be   
justified4 ,but indeed a man can receive
 nothing except it be  given him from   
above4 ,all is of grace1 not of works4  
,faith4 ,well then1 what shall we       
discourse of now8    ,man4 ,what you    
will4 ,i will talk of things heavenly or
 earthly1 things  moral or evangelical2 
things past or to come2 provided that   
all be done  to edifying4    ,now did   
,faithful begin to wonder1 and stepping 
to ,christian1 said  softly1 ,what a    
brave companion have we got8 ,at this   

,christian smiled1  and said1 8,this    
man's tongue will beguile twenty of them
 that know him  not40    ,faith4 ,do you
 know him then8    ,christian4 ,yes1    
better than he knows himself4 ,his name 
is ,talkative2  he comes from our town2 
his religion lies in his tongue1 but has
 no  place in his heart4    ,faith4     
,then ,i am greatly deceived in him4    
,christian4 ,so you are4 ,he is one of  
them that say and do not4 ,he  talks of 
faith1 of prayer1 and of the new birth4 
,but he only talks  of them4 ,he is the 
stain and reproach of religion4 ,it can 
scarce  have a good word where he lives1
 thro' him4 8,a saint abroad1 7say his  
neighbours7 and a devil at home40 ,his  
life has caused many to stumble  and    
fall1 and probably will cause many more4
    ,faith4 ,well1 ,i see saying and    
doing are two things4    ,christian4    
,indeed they are1 but poor ,talkative is
 not aware of  this3 he thinks hearing  
and saying will make a good ,christian1 
and so  deceives his own soul4          

,faith4 ,i am not so fond of his company
 now4 ,but how shall we get rid  of him8
    ,christian4 ,why1 begin a serious   
discourse on the power of religion3  and
 when he has approved of it1 7for that  
he will7 ask him plainly1  whether it be
 set up in his heart1 in his house1 and 
in his  conversation8    ,then ,faithful
 stepped forward again1 and said1 ,come1
 what cheer8 ,how  is it now8    ,talk4 
,i thank you1 ,i thought we should have 
had a great deal of talk  by this time4 
,faith4 ,well then1 let us begin2 and   
since you leave me to chuse the         
question1 let it be this8 ,how does the 
saving grace of ,god discover  itself1  
when it is in the heart of man8         
,talk4 ,i perceive then our talk is to  
be about the power of things4  ,well1   
'tis a very good question4 ,i answer    
thus2 first1 where the  grace of ,god is
 in the heart1 it causes a great outcry 
against sin4  ,secondly1    ,faith4     
,nay1 hold4 ,let us consider one at     
once4 ,i think you should  rather say1  

it causeth the soul to abhor sin4       
,talk4 ,why1 what difference is there   
between crying out against1 and         
abhorring sin8    ,faith4 ,o1 a great   
deal4 ,i have heard many cry out against
 sin1 who  could abide it well enough in
 the heart1 house1 and conversation4    
,some  cry out against sin1 as a mother 
cries out against the child in her lap3 
when she calls it slut and naughty girl2
 and then falls to kissing and  hugging 
it4    ,talk4 ,you lie at the catch1 ,i 
perceive4    ,faith4 ,no1 not ,i4 ,i am 
only for setting matters right4 ,but    
what is  the second thing1 which        
discovers a work of grace in the heart8 
,talk4 ,great knowledge of gospel       
mysteries4    ,faith4 ,this sign should 
have been first3 but1 first or last1 it 
is  good for nothing4 ,for there may be 
great knowledge1 of the mysteries  of   
the gospel1 and yet no work of grace in 
the heart3 yea1 though a man  have all  
knowledge1 he may yet be nothing2 and   
consequently no child of  ,god4 ,when   

,christ said1 ,do ye know all these     
things8 ,and the disciples  answered1   
yes3 he said1 ,happy are ye if ye do    
them4 ,he doth not lay  the blessing in 
knowing1 but in doing them4 ,therefore  
this sign also is  not true4    ,talk4  
,you lie at the catch again4 ,this is   
not for edification4    ,faith4 ,well1  
if you please1 mention any other sign   
how this work of  grace is discovered4  
,talk4 ,not ,i2 for ,i see we shall not 
agree4    ,faith4 ,will you give me     
leave to do it8    ,talk4 ,you may use  
your pleasure4    ,faith4 ,a work of    
grace in the soul is discovered to him  
that has  it thus3 first1 ,he is        
convinced of sin1 especially of the     
entire  corruption of his nature1 and of
 unbelief2 for which he is condemned    
already1 and hath the wrath of ,god     
abiding on him4 ,secondly1 ,he          
receiveth redemption in ,christ's blood1
 the forgiveness of sins4  ,thirdly1    
,being justified by faith1 he hath that 
peace of ,god which  passeth all        

understanding4 ,fourthly1 ,he rejoiceth 
in hope of the glory  of ,god2 he       
rejoiceth that he hath now received the 
atonement1 the  ,spirit of ,god bearing 
witness with his spirit1 that he is a   
child of  ,god4 ,fifthly1 ,the love of  
,god is shed abroad in his heart1 by the
 ,holy  ,ghost which is given unto him4 
,and1 lastly1 ,hereby he knoweth he is  
of  ,god1 because he keepeth his        
commandments and sinneth not4           
8foregiveness0 replaced with            
8forgiveness0    ,it is discovered to   
others4 #a4 ,by his open confession of  
this faith1  and peace1 and joy1 and    
love1 and power over sin4 #b4 ,by a life
  answerable thereto2 by universal      
obedience1 by holiness in all manner  of
 conversation4    ,would you object any 
thing to this8 ,if not1 give me leave to
 propose a  second question4    ,talk4  
,nay1 propose what you will4    ,faith4 
,do you experience these things in your 
own heart8 ,and doth  your life answer  
thereto8 ,pray1 say no more than your   

conscience can  justify you in1 and what
 you know ,god will say ,amen to4 ,for  
not he  that commendeth himself is      
approved1 but whom the ,lord commendeth4
    ,talk4 ,this kind of discourse ,i   
did not expect1 nor am ,i disposed to   
answer such questions4 ,i am not bound  
to take you for my catechizer2  and ,i  
do not understand why you ask them4     
,faith4 ,i ask them1 because 7to tell   
you the truth7 ,i have heard  that your 
religion lies in talk2 that your life   
gives the lie to your  profession2 that 
you are a spot among ,christians2 and1  
by your unholy  conversation1 bring a   
reproach on that worthy name whereby we 
are  called4    ,talk4 ,since you judge 
so rashly1 and are so ready to take up  
evil  reports1 you are not company for  
me2 so farewel4    ,then came up        
,christian1 and said1 ,i told you how it
 would be4 ,you  did well to speak      
plainly4 ,i wish all men would deal with
 such men as  you have done1 and then   
either they would themselves come to be 

truly  religious1 or the company of     
those that are so would be too hot for  
them4    ,while he was yet speaking1    
they saw ,evangelist coming after them1 
who soon overtook them1 and said1       
8,peace be unto you4 ,how hath it fared 
with you1 my friends1 since the time of 
our last parting80    ,then ,christian  
and ,faithful told him of all things    
that had  happened to them on the way4  
,evangelist4 ,i am glad that in all     
things ye are more than conquerors4  ,i 
have sowed1 and ye have reaped2 and the 
day is coming1 when both he  that sowed1
 and they that reaped1 shall rejoice    
together2 that is1 if  ye endure to the 
end4 ,for in due time ye shall reap1 if 
ye faint not4    8,my sons1 you have    
heard in the words of the truth of the  
gospel1 that  ye must1 thro' much       
tribulation1 enter into the kingdom of  
heaven4  ,therefore you cannot expect to
 go long on your pilgrimage1 without    
meeting that whereto ye are called4 ,you
 have found something of the  truth of  

these testimonies already1 and more will
 soon follow4 ,for  you will come to a  
town by and by1 where you will be hard  
beset with  enemies4 ,but be ye faithful
 unto death1 saith the ,lord1 and ,i    
will give  you a crown of life40        
,then ,i saw in my dream1 that almost as
 soon he had left them1 they came  in   
sight of a town called ,vanity1 where a 
great fair is kept all the  year long1  
called ,vanity-fair4    ,at this fair   
are sold houses1 lands1 trade1 places1  
honours1  preferments1 titles1          
countries1 kingdoms2 delights of all    
sorts1 wives1  husbands1 children1      
masters1 servants1 silver1 gold1        
precious stones1  blood1 lives1 bodies  
and souls of men4    ,moreover1 here are
 at all times to be seen jugglings1     
cheats1 games1  plays1 fools1 knaves1   
and those of every kind4 ,here are to be
 seen  too1 and that for nothing1       
extortion1 rapine1 revenge1 thefts1     
murders1  adulterers1 false swearers1   
and that of a blood-red colour4    ,now 

the way to mount ,zion lies just thro'  
the place where this fair  is kept2 and 
he that would not go thro' this fair1   
must needs go out  of the world4 ,hither
 therefore ,christian and ,faithful     
came3 but  no sooner did they appear1   
than all the people in the fair were    
moved1  and the town itself was in an   
uproar2 and that for several reasons3   
for1 #a4 ,their raiment was quite       
different from that of any that traded  
in the fair4 #b4 ,so was their speech2  
for they spoke the language of  ,canaan1
 which few there understood3 so that    
from one end of the fair  to the other1 
the men of the fair and they seemed     
barbarians to each  other3 and1 #c4     
,they set light by all that was sold    
there2 they cared  not so much as to    
look upon it2 and if any called to them1
 they looked  up and cried1 ,turn away  
my eyes from beholding vanity4    ,to   
one who mocking1 asked them1 8,what will
 you buy80 ,they answered1  8,we buy the
 truth40 ,at that the uproar increased2 

some taunting1 some  railing1 and some  
calling upon others to smite them4 ,now 
was word  brought to the great one of   
the fair1 who sent some of his trusty   
friends1 to enquire what these men were4
 ,so they were brought before  him and  
asked1 ,whence they came8 ,whither they 
went1 and what they  did there in such  
an unusual garb8 ,the men answered1     
8,that they were  strangers and pilgrims
 in the world2 that they were going to  
their own  country2 and that they had   
given no occasion to the men of the town
  thus to abuse and stop them in their  
journey40 ,but the examiners said1      
8,either they were stark mad1 or that   
they came on purpose to put all  things 
into confusion40 ,therefore they took   
them1 and besmeared them  with dirt1 and
 then put them into the cage1 to be a   
spectacle to all4  ,but the men being   
patient1 and not rendering railing for  
railing1 but  contrarywise blessing1    
some less prejudiced men began to check 
the  baser sort1 for their continual    

abuses to them4 ,these flew at them     
again1 telling them they were as bad as 
the men in the cage1 and ought  to be   
put with them4 ,the others replied4     
8,that1 for ought they could  see1 the  
men meant no body any harm2 and that    
there were many in the  fair who        
deserved to be punished more than those 
they thus abused40  ,after many words1  
they fell to blows among themselves4    
,then were these  two examined again1   
and charged with being the authors of   
all this  mischief4 ,so they beat them1 
and led them in chains up and down the  
fair1 for a terror to others1 least they
 should again speak in their  behalf4   
,but ,christian and ,faithful behaved   
yet more wisely1 and  received all the  
contempt that was put upon them with    
such meekness1  that it won to their    
side several of the men in the fair4    
,this put the  others into a still      
greater rage1 so that they concluded    
upon their  death4 ,mean while they     
remanded them to the cage1 and made     

their feet  fast in the stocks4    ,when
 a convenient time was come1 they were  
brought forth1 and arraigned4  ,the     
judge's name was ,lord ,hategood4 ,the  
substance of their indictment  was this 
8,that they were enemies to1 and        
disturbers of their trade2  that they   
had made commotions and divisions in the
 town1 and won over  some to their own  
pestilent opinions40    ,the first      
witness against ,faithful was ,envy1 who
 spoke to this  effect4 8,my ,lord1 this
 man is one of the vilest men in our    
country4 ,he  neither regards prince nor
 people1 law nor customs2 but is        
continually  turning the world upside   
down4 ,and ,i myself heard him affirm1  
that the  customs of our town and       
,christianity could not be reconciled40 
,they then called ,superstition1 who    
spake thus3 8,my ,lord1 ,i have  not    
much knowledge of this man1 neither do  
,i desire it2 but this ,i  know1 that he
 is a pestilent fellow1 and of very     
dangerous principles4  ,i heard him say1

 that our religion was naught1 and such 
as it was  impossible to please ,god by4
 ,and your lordship very well knows1    
what  must follow from thence3 that we  
worship in vain1 and are still in our   
sins40         duplicate word 8that0    
removed    ,then was ,pickthank called1 
and deposed as follows3    8,my ,lord1  
,i have heard this fellow rail on our   
noble prince ,beelzebub2  yea and speak 
contemptuously of his most honourable   
friends3 nay1 he  hath not been afraid  
to rail on you1 my ,lord1 in the same   
terms1 with  which he has bespattered   
most of the nobility and gentry of our  
town40    ,the judge then said1 thou    
traitor1 hast thou heard what these     
honest  gentlemen have witnessed against
 thee8    ,faith4 ,may ,i speak a few   
words8    ,judge4 ,sirrah1 thou         
deservest to be slain immediately upon  
the place2  but that all men may see our
 gentleness to thee1 we will hear what  
thou  hast to say4    ,faith4 ,i say1   
that all the customs of this place are  

flatly opposite  to the word of ,god3   
that your worship1 being void both of   
faith and  love1 is an abomination to   
the ,lord2 and that your prince with all
 his  attendants1 are only fit for that 
hell which is prepared of old for him   
and his angels4    ,judge4 ,gentlemen of
 the jury1 you have heard this man's own
  confession4 ,what think ye8    ,jury4 
,we are all agreed4 ,he is guilty of    
death4    ,immediately after1 sentence  
was past1 they brought him out1 to do   
with him according to their law4 ,and1  
after they had scourged him1 and        
buffeted him1 they tied him to a stake1 
and then burnt him to ashes4    ,now ,i 
saw that there stood behind the         
multitude a chariot and horses  waiting 
for ,faithful1 who 7so soon as the      
earthly tabernacle was  dissolved7 was  
straightway carried therein thro' the   
clouds4 ,but  ,christian was remanded to
 prison1 and shortly after discharged2  
he  that hath the hearts of all men in  
his hand1 over-ruling the malice of  his

 enemies4    ,but he went not forth     
alone2 for one1 whose name was ,hopeful1
 7having  been won by their meekness and
 patience in suffering7 resolved to     
accompany him wherever he went4 ,he also
 told ,christian1 that there  were many 
more of the men in the fair1 that would 
take their time and  follow after4      
,so they went on without stopping or    
looking behind them1 till they came  to 
a pleasant plain1 called ,ease2 but it  
was narrow1 so that they  were quickly  
over it4 ,on the farther side was a     
little hill1 called  ,lucre1 and in that
 hill a silver mine1 which many who went
 that way1  had formerly turned aside to
 see3 but the ground breaking in with   
them1  they miserably perished4 ,a      
little way off1 over against it1 stood  
one1  who called to ,christian and his  
fellow1 8,ho6 turn aside hither1 and ,i 
will shew you a thing40    ,christian4  
,for what thing should we turn out of   
our way8    ,man4 ,here is a mine of    
silver4 ,come and see4    ,hopeful4 ,let

 us go and see it4    ,christian4 ,not  
,i4 ,i have heard of this place before1 
and how many  have been slain here2 that
 treasure is a snare to them that seek  
it1  and hindreth them in their         
pilgrimage4    ,man4 ,will you not come 
over and see8    ,christian4 ,demas1 ,i 
know thee1 who thou art4 ,thou art an   
enemy  to the right ways of the ,lord4  
,thou hast been already condemned for   
turning aside from his way4 ,and        
wouldest thou bring us into the same    
condemnation8 ,rather shall thy money   
perish with thee4 ,so they went  their  
way4    ,now ,i saw that on the other   
side of the plain1 stood an old         
monument1  at the sight of which they   
were surprised2 for it seemed as if it  
had  been a woman transformed into a    
pillar4 ,for some time they could not   
tell what to make of it1 till they      
espied a writing upon the head1  which  
was1 ,remember ,lot's wife4 ,ah1 my     
brother1 said ,christian1  this is a    
seasonable sight4 ,had we gone over to  

view the hill ,lucre1  we had1 for ought
 ,i know1 been made like this woman a   
spectacle to all  generations4          
,hopeful4 ,how justly might ,i have been
 as she is6 ,she only looked back2  and 
,i desired to go and see4 ,i am ashamed 
such a thought should be in  my heart4  
,christian4 ,let us take notice of what 
we see here1 for our help in  time to   
come4 ,this woman escaped one judgment2 
for she fell not in  the destruction of 
,sodom2 yet she was destroyed by        
another4 ,she was  turned1 as we see1   
into a pillar of salt4    ,i saw then   
that they went on their way to a        
pleasant river1 which ,david  calleth1  
,the river of ,god1 but ,john1 the river
 of the water of  life4 ,now their way  
lay on the bank of the river4 ,here they
 walked  with great delight2 they drank 
also of the water of the river1 which   
was enlivening to their weary spirits4  
,and on the banks on either side1  were 
green trees for all manner of fruit2 and
 the leaves were for the  healing of the

 nations4 ,on each side of the river was
 also a meadow1  curiously beautified   
with flowers2 and it was green all the  
year long4  ,in this they lay down and  
slept2 for here they might lie down     
safely3  but being not yet at their     
journey's end1 after a short time they  
departed4    ,they had not journied far1
 before the river and the way divided   
from  each other4 ,at this they were not
 a little sorry2 yet they durst not go  
out of the way4 ,the path now grew more 
and more rough1 and their feet  were    
tender with travelling4 ,so the souls of
 the pilgrims were much  discouraged1 by
 reason of the way4 ,now a little before
 them there was  a meadow on the left   
hand1 and a stile to go over into it4   
,then said  ,christian1 if this meadow  
lies along by our way-side let us go    
into  it4 ,he went to see1 and a path   
lay along by the way1 on the other side 
of the fence4 8',tis as ,i wished1 said 
,christian2 here is a smooth  path2 come
 let us go over40    ,hopeful4 ,but how 

if it should lead us out of the way8    
,christian4 ,nay1 look1 does it not go  
along by the road-side8 ,so  ,hopeful   
went after him over the stile4 ,when    
they were gone over1  they found the    
path very easy for their feet2 and      
withal1 they saw one  walking before    
them4 ,they called and asked him1       
,whither that way led8  ,he said1 to    
mount ,zion4 ,look there1 said          
,christian4 ,did ,i not tell  you so8   
,so they followed1 and he went before   
them2 but the night coming  on1 they    
soon lost sight of him4    ,he that went
 before 7,vain-confidence by name7 not  
seeing the way1  7for it was very dark7 
fell into a deep pit1 which was dug     
there on  purpose1 and was dashed to    
pieces with his fall4    ,now they heard
 him fall1 and called to know what was  
the matter2 but  there was none to      
answer1 except with groans4 ,then said  
,hopeful1  ,where are we now8 ,but      
,christian was silent1 fearing he had   
led him  out of the way4 ,and now it    

began to thunder and lighten1 and rain2 
and  the waters in the meadow rose      
amain4    ,then ,hopeful groaned in     
himself1 and said1 ,o that ,i had kept  
on my  way6    ,christian4 ,who would   
have thought that this path should have 
led us  out of the way8    ,hopeful4 ,i 
was afraid at first1 and should have    
spoke plainer1 but  that you are older  
than ,i4    ,christian4 ,i am sorry ,i  
brought you out of the way4 ,but we must
 not  stand still4 ,let us go back4     
,hopeful4 ,let me go before4            
,christian4 ,no4 ,i led you out of the  
way4 ,if there be any danger1 let  me be
 first therein4    ,hopeful4 ,nay1 you  
shall not go first2 for your mind being 
troubled1  may bring you out of the way 
again4 ,but by this time the waters were
  greatly risen1 so that the way was    
very dangerous4 ,yet they resolved  to  
go as far as they could4 ,but it was so 
dark1 and the flood so high1  that they 
could not1 with all the skill they had1 
get again to the  stile that night4     

,wherefore1 at last they sat down under 
a tree till  day should break2 but being
 weary1 they fell asleep4 ,now there was
 not  far off a castle called           
,doubting-castle1 the owner whereof was 
giant  ,despair1 who rising early in the
 morning1 and walking out1 found        
,christian and ,hopeful asleep in his   
ground4 ,with a surly voice1 he  bid    
them awake1 and asked1 whence they came1
 and what they did there8  ,they told   
him they were pilgrims that had lost    
their way4 ,then said the  giant1 you   
have trespassed upon my ground1 and     
therefore must go along  with me4 ,so he
 drove them before him into his castle1 
and cast them  into a dark and dismal   
dungeon1 where they sunk in the mire and
 dirt4  ,and here they lay1 without     
bread1 or water1 or light1 or any to    
care  for1 or comfort them4    ,the next
 morning the giant came to them again1  
and beat them in such  a manner1 that   
they were scarcely able to help         
themselves1 or to turn  themselves upon 

the floor2 then he left them to bewail  
their misery1  and to mourn under their 
distress3 so that all that day they     
spent  their time in nothing but sighs  
and bitter lamentations4 ,the day       
following he returned1 and perceiving   
them to be sore with the blows  they had
 received1 he told them1 that since they
 were never likely  to escape1 their    
best way was to put an end to their     
trouble at once4  8,for what good10 said
 he1 8will life do you8 ,it is only     
heaping sorrow  upon sorrow40 ,he then  
left them to consider what to do2 and   
they began  consulting together as      
follows4    ,christian4 ,brother1 what  
shall we do8 ,is it better to live thus1
 or  to die out of hand8 ,in truth1 my  
soul chuseth strangling rather than     
life1 and the grave is easier for me    
than this dungeon4    ,hopeful4 ,why1   
death would be far more welcome to me1  
than to abide  thus for ever4 ,but yet  
let us consider1 our ,lord has said1    
thou shalt  do no murder3 and if we are 

forbidden to kill another1 much more to 
kill ourselves3 for he that kills       
another1 kills only his body2 but he    
that kills himself1 kills both body and 
soul4 ,besides1 you talk of ease  in the
 grave3 but have you forgot the hell    
whither murderers go8 ,and  let us      
consider again1 that all the law is not 
in the hand of giant  ,despair4 ,others1
 ,i understand1 have been taken by him  
as well as we2  and yet have escaped out
 of his hands4 ,who knows but ,god may  
strike him  with death8 ,or that        
sometime he may forget to lock us in8   
,for my part1  ,i am resolved to take   
heart1 and to try the utmost to get from
 under  his hand4 ,however1 let us      
endure awhile4 ,the time of release may 
come3  and if not1 whatever ,god        
permits1 let us not be our own          
murderers4    ,toward evening the giant 
came again1 to see if his prisoners had 
taken  his counsel4 ,but finding them   
alive1 he fell into a grievous rage1 and
  told them1 since they would not obey  

him1 it should be far worse with  them  
than if they had never been born4    ,he
 went back1 and they began to consult   
again1 whether they should  take his    
advice or no8 ,christian seemed to      
incline to it again3 but  ,hopeful      
replied as follows3    8,my brother1    
remembrest thou not1 how valiant thou   
hast been  heretofore8 ,apollyon could  
not destroy thee1 nor all thou didst    
meet in the valley of the ,shadow of    
,death4 ,what hardships hast thou       
already gone through8 ,and art thou now 
nothing but fears8 ,thou seest  ,i am in
 the dungeon as well as thou3 also the  
giant has wounded me as  much as thee4  
,he hath cut off the bread and water    
from my mouth too2  and ,i too mourn    
without the light4 ,however1 in our     
patience let us  possess our souls4 ,who
 knows how soon a change may come80     
,the next morning the giant took them   
into the castle-yard1 and shewed  them  
the bones and sculls with which it was  
strewed4 8,these1 said he1  were once   

pilgrims as you are1 and they trespassed
 on my ground2 and1  when ,i saw fit1 ,i
 tore them in pieces1 as within ten days
 ,i will do you1  get you down till then
 into your dungeon40 ,so he drove them  
back1 and  shut them in4    ,that night1
 about midnight1 they began to pray1 and
 continued in prayer  till near break of
 day4    ,now1 a little before it was   
day1 ,christian as in amaze1 broke out1 
8,what a fool am ,i to continue in this 
noisome dungeon1 when ,i may as  well   
walk at liberty8 ,i have a key in my    
bosom1 called ,promise1 that  will1 ,i  
am persuaded open any lock in           
,doubting-castle40 8,that1 said         
,hopeful1 is good news indeed2 pluck it 
out of thy bosom and try40    ,then     
,christian tried it at the dungeon door1
 whose bolt 7as he turned  the key7 gave
 back1 and the door flew open with ease4
 ,they went next  to the outward door   
that leads into the castle-yard1 and1   
with this  key1 opened that door also4  
,the iron gate was next3 but that lock  

went  very hard4 ,yet in awhile did the 
key open it3 so they stopped not till   
they came to the king's highway1 where  
they were out of the giant's            
jurisdiction4    ,then they went on till
 they came to the ,delectable           
,mountains1 where  were gardens and     
orchards1 and vineyards1 and fountains  
of water3 here  they drank and washed   
themselves1 and did freely eat of the   
fruit of  the vineyards4 ,now there were
 on the top of these mountains1         
shepherds  feeding their flocks by the  
way-side4 ,the pilgrims therefore went  
to  them1 and asked1 whose mountains are
 these8 ,and whose are the sheep  that  
feed upon them8    ,shepherd4 ,these    
mountains are ,immanuel's land1 and they
 are within  sight of his city4 ,and the
 sheep that feed here are his also1 and 
he  laid down his life for them4        
,christian4 ,is there any relief in this
 place for pilgrims that are  weary and 
faint in the way8    ,shepherd4 ,the    
lord of these mountains has given a     

charge1 not to be  forgetful to         
entertain strangers3 8,therefore the    
good of the place is  before you40 ,so  
they took them by the hand1 and led them
 to their tents4  ,after a short        
refreshment1 7it being now late7 they   
all betook them to  their rest4    ,in  
the morning they called up ,christian   
and ,hopeful to walk with  them upon the
 mountains4 ,so they went forth and     
walked with them1  having a pleasant    
prospect on every side4 ,from thence    
they led them to  the top of a hill     
called ,error1 which was very steep on  
the further  side1 and bid them look    
down to the bottom4 ,they looked down1  
and saw  at the bottom several men      
dashed to pieces by a fall from the top4
  ,then said ,christian1 who are these8 
8,have you not heard10 said the         
shepherds1 8of them that were made to   
err1 by hearkening to ,hymenus  and     
,philetus1 concerning the resurrection  
of the body8 ,these that you  see lie   
dashed in pieces are they2 and they     

continue unburied to this  day1 for an  
example to others1 that they clamber not
 too high1 nor come  too near the brink 
of this mountain40    99,then ,i saw in 
my dream1 that the shepherds had them to
 another place1  where was a door in the
 side of a hill4 ,they opened the door  
and bad  them look in4 ,they looked1 and
 saw that it was very dark and smoaky2  
also they heard a roaring noise1 as of  
fire1 and cries and groans1  as of men  
in torment4 ,then said ,christian1 what 
means this8 ,this1  answered the        
shepherds1 is a bye-way to hell2 a way  
that hypocrites go1  and those that did 
run well1 but do not endure to the end4 
,then said  the pilgrims1 looking on    
each other1 ,we have need to cry to the 
strong  for strength4 8,true10 said the 
shepherds1 8and you have need to use it 
when you have it too40    ,when they    
were about to depart1 one of the        
shepherds gave them a note  of the way4 
,another bid them1 8,beware of the      
flatterer40 ,the third said1  8,sleep   

not on inchanted ground40 ,so they went 
down the mountains1 along  the highway4 
,now a little below the mountains1 on   
the left-hand1 lies  the country of     
,conceit2 from which country a little   
crooked lane runs  into the way where   
the pilgrims walked4 ,here they met with
 a very brisk  young man1 who came out  
of that country3 his name was           
,ignorance4 ,so  ,christian asked1      
8,whence he came1 and whither he was    
going80    ,ignorance4 ,sir1 ,i was born
 in the country that lies on the        
left-hand1  and am going to mount ,zion4
    ,christian4 ,and how do you think to
 get there8    ,ignorance4 ,as other    
good people do4    ,christian4 ,but what
 have you to shew at the gate1 that it  
may be  opened to you8    ,ignorance4   
,why1 ,i do no harm4 ,i pay every man   
his own4 ,i work hard  for an honest    
living4 ,i say my prayers1 and keep my  
church1 and go to  the sacrament1 and do
 what good ,i can4    ,christian4 ,but  
you came not in at the strait gate4 ,you

 came in  through that crooked lane2 and
 therefore ,i fear1 whatever you think  
of  yourself1 you will at that day be   
judged a thief and a robber4            
,ignorance4 ,gentlemen1 you are         
strangers to me2 be content to follow   
the religion of your country1 and ,i    
will follow that in which ,i was  born  
and bred4 ,i won't leave the church4 ,as
 for the gate you talk of1  all the     
world knows1 it is a great way off our  
country4 ,i cannot think  that any men  
in all our parts do so much as know the 
way to it2 nor  need they matter1 since 
we have a fine green lane1 as you see1  
that  comes straight down into the way4 
,christian4 ,this man is wise in his own
 conceit4 ,there is more hope of  a fool
 than of him4    ,hopeful4 ,perhaps we  
should not say all to him at once1 let  
us pass on1  and speak to him again by  
and by4    ,so they went on1 and        
,ignorance came after4 ,when they had   
past him a  little way1 they came into a
 very dark lane1 where they met a man   

whom  seven devils had bound with seven 
strong cords1 and were carrying back  to
 the door on the side of the hill4 ,on  
his back was a paper with this          
inscription1 ,the just shall live by    
faith2 but if he draw back1 my  soul    
shall have no pleasure in him4    ,this 
puts me in mind1 said ,christian1 of    
what happened to a  pilgrim here1 whose 
name was ,little-faith4 ,at the entrance
 of  this passage there comes down1 from
 ,broad-way ,gate1 a lane1 called       
,deadman's-,lane4 ,this ,little-,faith  
chanced to sit down there1 and  fell    
asleep4 ,three brothers1 ,faintheart1   
,mistrust1 and ,guilt1  were just then  
coming down that lane as he awaked1 and 
was getting  up to go on his journey4   
,they immediately called to him to      
stand1 and  bid him deliver what he had2
 which he not doing readily1 ,faintheart
  and ,mistrust stepped up and took it  
from him4 ,he then cried out1  ,thieves2
 on which ,mistrust1 with a great club1 
struck him on the  head1 and felled him 

to the ground3 but just then hearing    
some that  were upon the road1 and      
fearing it might be one ,great-,grace1  
they  left ,little-,faith to shift for  
himself1 and fled away with all speed4  
,hopeful4 ,doubtless these three fellows
 were mere cowards1 or they  would not  
so soon have run away4 ,methinks        
,little-,faith might have  stood one    
brush with them1 if he had yielded at   
last4    ,christian4 ,few have found    
them cowards4 ,they once set upon me2   
and  though ,i was cloathed in armour of
 proof1 ,i found it hard work to quit   
myself like a man4 ,no man knows what a 
combat that is1 but he that has  been   
engaged in it himself4    ,hopeful4     
,well1 but they ran away as soon as they
 only supposed that  ,great-,grace was a
 coming4    ,christian4 ,no marvel2 for 
he is the ,king's champion4 ,but all the
  ,king's subjects are not his          
champions2 nor can they1 in the day of  
trial1 do such feats of war as he4      
,hopeful4 ,i would ,i had been          

,great-,grace for their sakes4          
,christian4 ,if it had been he1 he might
 have had his hands full4 ,for ,i  must 
tell you1 although he can deal with them
 as long as he keeps them  at sword's   
point2 yet if ever they get within him1 
it will go hard but  they will give him 
a sore fall4    ,besides1 their ,king is
 always at their call1 ready to come to 
their  help4 ,and of him it is said1    
,the sword of him that layeth at him1   
cannot hold the spear1 the dart1 nor the
 habergeon4 ,he esteemeth iron  as      
straw1 and brass as rotten wood4 ,darts 
are counted as stubble4 ,he  laugheth at
 the shaking of the spear4    ,when     
therefore we hear of such robbers as    
these1 it behoveth us to go  out well   
harnessed1 and be sure to have a good   
shield2 for indeed if  that be wanting1 
they fear us not at all3 therefore he   
that hath skill  hath said1 ,above all1 
take the shield of faith1 wherewith ye  
shall be  able to quench all the fiery  
darts of the wicked4    ',tis good also 

that we desire the ,king1 that he would 
go with us  himself2 and then we need   
not be afraid if thousands had set      
themselves  against us round about3 but 
without him the proud helpers shall fall
  under the slain4    ,so they went on  
till they came to a place where they saw
 a way put  itself into their way1 which
 seemed to lie as straight as the other1
  insomuch that they knew not which to  
take4 ,as they were standing to         
consider1 a man of black flesh1 but     
covered with a very light robe1  came   
smiling to them1 and lovingly asked1    
8,why do you stand here80 ,they         
answered1 8,we are going to mount ,zion1
 but know not which of these  ways to   
take40 8,i am glad1 said the man1 you   
are of so good a mind4  ,few men are so 
wise as you4 ,follow me1 my dear        
friends1 and ,i will  shew you the way4 
,such as you deserve to be honoured of  
all men40 ,so  they followed him1 till1 
by little and little the way turned1 and
 their  faces were set toward the city  

of ,destruction4 ,and before they were  
aware1 they were got within the compass 
of a net1 which he drew upon  them and  
held them fast4 ,the white robe then    
fell off the black man's  back2 and they
 saw where they were1 but could not     
escape4    ,then said ,christian1 ,i see
 my error now4 ,did not the shepherds   
tell  us to beware of the flatterer8    
,how true is that word1 ,a man that     
flattereth his neighbour1 spreadeth a   
net for his feet6    ,hopeful4 ,they    
also gave us a note of direction about  
the way2 but we  forgot to read it1 else
 we should have kept ourselves from the 
paths  of the destroyer4 ,thus they lay 
bewailing themselves in the net1 when   
they saw a shining one coming toward    
them1 with a whip of small cords  in his
 hand4 ,he asked1 ,what do ye here8     
,they answered1 ,we were led out  of the
 way by a black man cloathed in white4  
,he is a flatterer1 said  he1 a false   
apostle1 ,satan transformed into an     
angel of light4 ,so  he rent the net1   

and said1 8,follow me20 and led them    
back into the  way they had left4 ,then 
he asked them1 8,did not the shepherds  
on the  mountains give you a note of the
 way8 ,why did you not read it8 ,and did
  they not bid you beware of the        
flatterer80 ,they were speechless4 ,so  
he  commanded them to lie down1 and     
chastised them sore1 saying1 ,as many   
as ,i love1 ,i rebuke and chasten2 be   
zealous therefore and repent4    ,i saw 
then in my dream1 that they arose and   
went on1 until they came  into a        
country1 whose air naturally tended to  
make one drowsy4 ,and  here ,hopeful    
began to be very heavy1 and said to     
,christian1 8,i can  scarce hold open my
 eyes2 let us lie down and sleep        
awhile40    ,christian4 ,by no means1   
lest we wake no more4    ,hopeful4 ,why1
 my brother8 ,the sleep of a labouring  
man is sweet4    ,christian4 ,do you not
 remember the caution of the shepherd1  
sleep not  on inchanted ground8         
,hopeful4 ,i acknowledge my fault4 ,i   

see it is true1 as the wise man  saith1 
,two are better than one4    ,christian4
 ,to prevent drowsiness then1 let us    
discourse a little  together4 ,how came 
you at first to look after the good of  
your soul8    ,hopeful4 ,for a long time
 ,i delighted in those things which are 
seen  and sold at our fair1 in the      
riches and pleasures of the world1 till 
,i  heard from ,faithful and you1 that  
the end of these things is death4       
,christian4 ,but was you fully convinced
 of this at once8    ,hopeful4 ,no2 ,i  
strove to stifle my convictions2 and    
when my mind was  shaken with the word  
of ,god1 laboured to shut my eyes       
against the light4    ,christian4 ,how  
so8    ,hopeful4 ,i knew not that this  
was the work of ,god upon me1 but called
  it lowness of spirits2 and sin was so 
sweet to me1 that ,i was loth to  leave 
it2 besides1 ,i could not tell how to   
part with my old companions4            
,christian4 ,then it seems you shook off
 your troubles sometimes4    ,hopeful4  

,yes2 but it came again worse than      
before4    ,christian4 ,what was it that
 brought your sins to your mind again8  
,hopeful4 ,many things3 as1 if ,i met   
but a good man in the street2 or  if ,i 
heard one read the bible2 or1 if my head
 began to ake2 or1 if ,i  was told of   
any that was sick2 or1 if ,i heard the  
bell toll for one  that was dead2 or1 if
 ,i thought of dying myself or heard of 
a sudden  death3 but1 above all1 when ,i
 thought ,i must quickly come to        
judgment4    ,christian4 ,but could you 
not shake off your thoughts8            
,hopeful4 ,no2 they got faster hold upon
 me1 till ,i could have no rest  in sin4
    ,christian4 ,and how did you then8  
,hopeful4 ,i thought ,i must mend my    
life2 and so ,i did1 leaving my  old    
sins and company too4 ,likewise ,i began
 to read1 and pray1 and fast1  and go to
 church1 and to the sacrament1 and to do
 good4 ,and now for a  time ,i thought  
all was well2 but it was not long before
 my trouble came  again4    ,christian4 

,how so8 ,had you not reformed your     
life8    ,hopeful4 ,yes2 but ,i had not 
reformed my heart4 ,i found that was    
still  as bad1 or worse than ever2 full 
of anger1 pride1 lust1 and what not8  ,i
 found my inward parts were very        
wickedness2 that ,i was earthly1        
sensual1 and devilish1 having still a   
carnal mind that was enmity  against    
,god1 and brought me into captivity to  
sin and death4 ,i saw  more and more1   
that there dwelt in me no good thing2 no
 love of ,god2  no true love of my      
neighbour4 ,above all1 ,i was convinced 
,i had not  faith2 not that faith which 
overcometh the world3 and that was      
always  sounding in my ears1 ,he that   
believeth not shall be damned4          
,christian4 ,and what effect had this8  
,hopeful4 ,i then remembered that it is 
written1 ,all our righteousness  is as  
filthy rags1 availing nothing toward our
 reconciliation with ,god1  or the      
forgiveness of our sins4 ,i saw that all
 ,i could do all my life  long1 would   

not atone for one sin that was past2    
nay1 though ,i could  now keep all      
,god's law1 and offend in no point4 ,for
 if a man 7thought  ,i7 runs a hundred  
pounds into a merchant's debt1 and after
 that pays  for all that he takes2 yet  
if this old debt stands still in the    
book  uncrossed1 the merchant may sue   
him1 and cast him into prison1 till he  
shall pay the whole4    ,christian4 ,how
 did you apply this to yourself8        
,hopeful4 ,why ,i thought with myself1  
,i have by sin run far in debt  with    
,god1 and my reforming now will not pay 
that debt4 ,how then shall  ,i be freed 
from that damnation1 to which ,i know   
myself to be justly  exposed1 by my     
former transgressions8    ,besides1 ,i  
still saw sin mixing itself with the    
best actions ,i could  do3 ,so that ,i  
was forced to conclude1 that1           
notwithstanding my former  opinion of   
myself1 ,i committed sin enough in one  
day to send me to hell1  though my      
former life had been faultless4         

,christian4 ,and what did you do then8  
,hopeful4 ,i knew not what to do1 till  
,i went and talked with  ,faithful2 who 
told me1 unless ,i had an interest in   
the righteousness  of one that had never
 sinned1 neither my own righteousness1  
nor all  the righteousness of the world1
 could save me4 ,i asked1 who it was    
that had never sinned8 ,he answered1    
8the ,lord ,jesus3 and you only can  be 
forgiven and accepted with ,god through 
faith in his blood40 8,but  how1 said   
,i1 can his righteousness justify me    
before ,god80 ,he told  me1 he was the  
mighty ,god1 and did what he did1 and   
died the death  also1 not for himself1  
but for me2 to whom the merits of all   
should  be imputed1 if ,i believe on    
him4 ,i replied1 8,i did not think he   
was  willing to save me40 ,he bid me go 
to him and see4 ,i said1 8,it was       
presumption40 ,he answered1 8,no2 for ,i
 was invited to come40 ,then ,i  asked1 
what must ,i do when ,i come8 ,and he   
bid me say to this effect3  8,god be    

merciful to me a sinner1 and make me to 
know and believe  in ,jesus2 for ,i see1
 if ,i have not faith in his blood1 ,i  
am utterly  cast away4 ,lord1 ,i have   
heard1 that thou art a merciful ,god1   
and hast  ordained him to be the        
,saviour of the world2 and moreover1    
that thou  art willing to accept1 in    
him1 even such a poor sinner as ,i am4  
,o  magnify thy grace in the salvation  
of my soul1 through thy ,son ,jesus     
,christ60    ,christian4 ,and did you do
 this8    ,hopeful4 ,yes1 over and over1
 before ,i found any relief4            
,christian4 ,had you not thoughts then  
of giving it over8    ,hopeful4 ,yes1 a 
hundred times2 but ,i knew not what else
 to do1 being  convinced1 that without  
,christ1 all the world could not save   
me2 and  therefore1 thought ,i with     
myself1 if ,i leave off1 ,i die2 and ,i 
can but  die1 if ,i continue4 ,and      
withal this came into my mind1 ,if it   
tarry1  wait for it1 because it will    
surely come2 it will not tarry4         

,christian4 ,and how was you relieved8  
99,hopeful4 ,one day ,i was very sad1 ,i
 think sadder than ever before in  my   
life1 and this sadness was through a    
fresh sight of the greatness  and       
vileness of my sins2 and ,i was looking 
for nothing but hell1 when  suddenly ,i 
saw 7not with my bodily eyes7 the ,lord 
look down from heaven  upon me1 saying1 
,believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1   
and thou shalt be  saved4    ,then those
 scriptures came like a flood into my   
heart4 ,he that cometh  to me1 shall    
never hunger2 and he that believeth on  
me1 shall never  thirst4 ,christ is the 
end of the law for righteousness to     
every one  that believeth4 ,he hath died
 for our sins1 and rose again for our   
justification4 ,there is one mediator   
between ,god and man1 even the  man     
,christ ,jesus4 ,wherefore he is able to
 save unto the uttermost  those that    
come unto ,god through him2 seeing he   
ever liveth to make  intercession for   
them4    ,christian4 ,and what effect   

had this upon your spirit and life8     
,hopeful4 ,i was filled with a peace    
that passeth all understanding4  ,i     
rejoiced with joy unspeakable4 ,the love
 of ,god was shed abroad in my  heart2  
and sin had no more dominion over me2   
but ,i ran the way of his  commandments1
 now he had set my heart at liberty4    
,i saw then in my dream1 that ,hopeful  
looked back1 and saw ,ignorance1  whom  
he had left behind1 coming after4 ,then1
 said he come away1 man3  why do you    
stay behind8 ,come1 how do you do8 ,how 
stands it now between  ,god and your    
soul8    ,ignorance4 ,i hope well1 for  
,i am full of good thoughts4            
,christian4 ,what good thoughts8        
,ignorance4 ,why1 ,i think of ,god and  
heaven4    ,christian4 ,so do the devils
 and damned souls4    ,ignorance4 ,but  
,i desire them too4    ,christian4 ,so  
do many that never came there4 ,the soul
 of the  sluggard desireth and hath     
nothing4    ,ignorance4 ,nay but ,i     
leave all for them4    ,christian4 ,i   

doubt that4 ,why dost thou think so8    
,ignorance4 ,my heart tells me so4      
,christian4 ,he that trusteth his own   
heart1 is a fool4    ,ignorance4 ,ay if 
his heart be evil2 but mine is good4    
,christian4 ,how dost thou prove that8  
,ignorance4 ,why ,i lead a good life4   
,christian4 ,who told thee thou leadest 
a good life8    ,ignorance4 ,who told   
me6 ,my own heart4    ,christian4 ,ask  
my fellow if ,i be a thief4 ,thy heart  
tells thee so6  ,except the word of ,god
 bear witness in this matter1 other     
testimony is  nothing worth4    ,hast   
thou the peace of ,god8 ,hast thou joy  
in the ,holy ,ghost8 ,is the  love of   
,god shed abroad in thy heart8 ,doth his
 ,spirit witness with thy  spirit1 that 
thou art a child of ,god8 ,hast thou    
redemption in ,christ's  blood1 the     
forgiveness of thy sins8 ,art thou dead 
unto sin1 and alive  unto ,god8 ,hast   
thou crucified the flesh1 with its      
affections and lusts8  ,hath the law of 
the spirit of life in ,christ ,jesus1   

made thee free from  the law of sin and 
death8    ,ignorance4 ,you talk too high
 for me8 ,i am a poor sinner1 and ,i    
believe in ,christ1 and that is enough4 
,christian4 ,i fear1 hell is full of    
such poor sinners as thou4 ,but how     
dost thou believe in ,christ8           
,ignorance4 ,why1 ,i believe ,christ    
died for sinners1 and that my sins  will
 be forgiven1 through ,god's gracious   
acceptance of my sincerity and  best    
endeavours to obey his laws4            
,christian4 #a4 ,thou believest then    
with a fantastical faith2 for  this     
faith is no where described in the word4
 #b4 ,thou believest with  a false      
faith2 because thou takest justification
 from the blood and  righteousness of   
,christ1 and appliest it to thy own4 #c4
 ,this first  maketh ,christ not a      
justifier of thy person1 but of thy     
actions2 and  of thy person1 for the    
sake of thy actions4 ,therefore this    
faith is  utterly deceitful1 and will   
leave thee under wrath in the day of the

  ,lord4         8rf0 replaced with 8of0
    ,true justifying faith puts the     
soul1 as sensible of its lost condition 
by the law1 upon flying for refuge to   
the blood and righteousness of  ,christ4
 ,and this righteousness of his is not  
an act of grace1 by which  he maketh thy
 obedience acceptable to ,god for thy   
justification4    ,no1 but ,christ did  
and suffered what was required at our   
hands2 and for  the sake of what he did 
and suffered1 we are pardoned and       
accepted of  ,god4    ,ignorance4 ,and  
so you would have us do nothing6 ,we may
 live as we  list2 since we are         
justified by faith alone6    ,christian4
 ,as thy name is1 so art thou4 ,thou art
 ignorant of the  fruits of faith in the
 blood of ,christ4 ,he that believeth in
 ,christ1  loveth ,god2 and whosoever   
loveth him keepeth his commandments4    
,hopeful4 ,was ,christ ever revealed to 
you8    ,ignorance4 ,what1 you are for  
new revelations6 ,and receiving the     
,holy  ,ghost1 ,i suppose6 ,i believe   

what both you and all the rest of you   
say  about these matters1 is all whim   
and enthusiasm1 the effects of mere     
imagination1 or a distempered brain4    
,hopeful4 ,why1 man1 ,none knoweth the  
,son save he unto whom the ,father      
revealeth him3 and no man calleth ,jesus
 ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost4        
,ignorance4 ,that is your faith but it  
is not mine3 yet mine1 ,i  doubt not is 
as good as yours2 though ,i have not my 
head filled with  so many whims and     
fancies4    ,christian4 ,give me leave  
to put in a word3 you ought not to speak
  so slightly of this matter3 for no man
 can know ,jesus ,christ1 save  he to   
whom the ,father revealeth him3 and that
 faith whereby the soul  layeth hold on 
,christ1 must be wrought by the         
exceeding greatness of  his mighty      
power4 ,of this faith ,i perceive thou  
art wholly ignorant4  ,awake thou that  
sleepest4 ,know thyself4 ,see thy own   
weakness4 ,fly to  the ,lord ,jesus1 and
 by his righteousness thou shalt be     

delivered from  condemnation4           
,ignorance4 ,you walk so fast1 ,i cannot
 keep pace with you2 go on1 ,i  must    
stay awhile behind4    ,do you think1   
said ,hopeful1 that such men as these   
have never any  convictions of sin8     
,christian4 ,without doubt they have1   
more or less1 but they  desperately     
stifle them4    ,hopeful4 ,nay1 why     
should they stifle them8    ,christian4 
#a4 ,because they think these fears are 
wrought by the  devil1 which indeed are 
wrought of ,god4 #b4 ,they think also1  
they have  no reason thus to fear1 and  
therefore harden themselves in          
presumptuous  confidence4 #c4 ,they see 
these fears would rob them of their     
beloved  self-righteousness1 and        
therefore resist them with all their    
might4    99,now ,i saw in my dream1    
that by this time they were got over the
  inchanted ground1 and entering into   
the country of ,beulah1 the  way lying  
directly over it4 ,they were now far    
beyond the valley of  the ,shadow of    

,death1 and also out of the reach of    
giant ,despair2  neither could they1    
from this place1 so much as see         
,doubting-castle4  ,in this country     
there is no darkness at all1 the sun    
shining night and  day2 there are no    
storms or tempests1 but the air is      
always calm and  serene4 ,here the      
flowers all the year appear in the      
earth1 throughout  the perpetual spring3
 and they continually heard the singing 
of birds1  and the voice of the turtle  
in the land4 ,they were now within sight
 of  the city they were going to2 and   
met with several of the inhabitants of  
it4 ,yea1 in this land their ,lord      
himself commonly walked4 ,it being on   
the borders of heaven4 ,in this land    
also the contract between the bride  and
 bridegroom was renewed3 and as a       
bridegroom rejoiceth over the  bride1 so
 did their ,god rejoice over them4 ,here
 they had no want of  corn or wine1 but 
abundance of all things1 being in a land
 that flowed  with milk and honey4 ,mean

 time they heard voices out of the city1
 loud  voices1 saying1 ,say ye to the   
daughter of ,zion1 behold thy salvation 
cometh3 and all the inhabitants of the  
country called them1 the holy  people1  
the redeemed of the ,lord4              
8,shadom0 replaced with 8,shadow0    ,as
 they walked in this land1 they rejoiced
 evermore2 yea1 with joy  unspeakable   
and full of glory4 ,and drawing near to 
the city1 they had a  more perfect view 
thereof4 ,it was built of pearls and    
precious stones1  and the streets were  
paved with gold4 ,so that ,christian    
with desire  fell sick2 nor indeed was  
,hopeful much better4 ,insomuch that    
they  were constrained to cry out1 ,feed
 me with apples1 stay me with flagons2  
for ,i am sick of love4    ,when they   
were strengthened a little1 they went on
 their way1 and came  nearer and nearer2
 where were orchards1 vineyards and     
gardens4 ,the  gardener stood in the    
way1 and leading them into the vineyard1
 bid them  refresh themselves with the  

fruit4 ,he also shewed them here the    
,king's  walks and arbours1 where they  
delighted to be2 and here they tarried  
and slept4    ,so ,i saw that when they 
awoke1 they addressed themselves to go  
up to  the city2 but the reflection of  
the sun 7for the city was pure gold7    
was so extremely glorious1 that they    
were not able to behold it with  open   
face2 but only thro' a glass4 ,and as   
they went on there met them  two men in 
raiment shining like gold2 also their   
faces shone as the  light4    ,these    
asked the pilgrims1 ,whence they came8  
,where they had lodged8 ,what           
difficulties and dangers1 and what      
comforts they had found in the way8  ,to
 all which they answered briefly4 ,then 
said they1 8,you have but two           
difficulties more1 and you enter into   
the city40         duplicate word 8and0 
removed    ,christian then and his      
companion asked them to go with them2   
they  said1 8,we will2 but you must     
enter in by your own faith40 ,so ,i saw 

in  my dream that they went on together 
till they came in sight of the gate4    
,now ,i saw there was a deep river      
between them and the gate1 and there    
was no bridge over it3 at the sight of  
this the pilgrims stopt2 but the  men   
said1 8,you must go through or you      
cannot come to the gate40    99,they    
enquired1 if there were no other way to 
the gate3 ,to which they  answered1     
8,yes2 but there hath not any save two1 
,enoch and ,elijah1  trod that path     
since the foundation of the world40     
,then they asked1  if the waters were   
all of a depth8 ,they said1 8,no3 but we
 cannot help  you in this case2 for you 
will find them either shallower or      
deeper1  according to your faith40      
,then they went in2 but ,christian began
 to sink1 and cried out to his  friend1 
,i sink in the deep waters3 the billows 
go over my head1 all  the waves go over 
me4    99,then said ,hopeful1 8,be of   
good cheer1 my brother1 ,i feel the     
bottom1  and it is good40 ,oh1 my       

friend1 said ,christian1 ,the sorrows of
  death have compassed me round about4  
,i shall not see the land that  floweth 
with milk and honey4 ,and with that a   
great darkness and horror  fell upon    
him1 so that he could not see before    
him2 also he lost in  a great measure1  
his senses1 so that he could not        
remember any of the  refreshments or    
deliverances that he had met with before
 in the way  of his pilgrimage4 ,but all
 the words that he spake1 still tended  
to  discover the anguish of his spirit1 
and his fear that he should die  in the 
river1 and never enter into the gate4   
,here also the sins that  he had        
committed1 both before and after he was 
a pilgrim1 were brought  all together to
 his remembrance1 and terrified him     
afresh4 ,he was also  troubled with the 
apparition of evil spirits1 as if they  
would have  torn him in pieces2 so that 
,hopeful here had much ado to keep his  
brother's head above water2 yea1        
sometimes he sunk2 and then in awhile   

rose up again half dead3 however1 he    
still endeavoured to comfort him1       
saying1 8,i see the gate1 and men       
standing to receive us40 8',tis you1    
said ,christian1 whom they stand to     
receive2 ,i am as a dead man1 out  of   
mind4 ,surely1 if ,i was right1 he would
 now arise to help me4 ,but for  my sins
 ,i am brought into this snare1 and now 
,god hath forgotten me40  8,not so1 said
 ,hopeful2 but he trieth thy faith as   
with fire40    ,then ,i saw that        
,christian was in a muse1 and           
immediately ,hopeful  said1 8,be of good
 cheer2 thy faith hath saved thee4      
,jesus ,christ maketh  thee whole40     
,and with that ,christian broke out with
 a loud voice1 8,i see him1 ,i  see him 
again60 ,and he tells me1 ,when thou    
passest through the waters1  ,i will be 
with thee1 and through the rivers1 they 
shall not overflow  thee4 ,then he      
presently found ground to stand on1 and 
the rest of the  water was but shallow1 
till they came to land4 ,upon the bank  

they saw  the two shining men again1 who
 there waited for them2 and as soon as  
they were come out of the water1 they   
saluted them saying1 ,we are  ministring
 spirits1 sent forth to minister to the 
heirs of salvation4  ,thus they went    
along towards the gate4 ,now the city   
stood on a  mighty hill1 but the        
pilgrims went up the hill with ease1    
having left  their mortal garments      
behind them in the river4 ,though       
therefore the  foundation on which the  
city was built1 was higher than the     
clouds1  they mounted up with speed1    
through the regions of the air1 flying  
as  upon the wings of the wind4    ,the 
talk they had mean while with the       
shining ones was concerning the  glory  
of the place4 ,there1 said they1 with   
the innumerable company of  angels1 are 
the spirits of just men made perfect4   
,there is the paradise  of ,god1 wherein
 you will see the tree of life1 and eat 
of the fruits  thereof4 ,you shall be   
cloathed with light and immortality as  

with a  garment4 ,all tears will be     
wiped from your eyes1 and you will know 
no  more pain1 or sorrow1 or death2 for 
the former things are past away4  ,you  
are now going to ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and  
,jacob1 to the patriarchs  and prophets1
 to the righteous men of all ages1 whom 
,god in their  generations took away    
from the evil to come2 and that are now 
resting  upon their beds1 each one      
walking in his righteousness4    ,they  
asked1 and what are we to do when we are
 there8 ,it was answered1  8,you are    
there to receive the comforts of all    
your toils that are past1  and to have  
joy for all your sorrow4 ,you are to    
reap what you have sown1  even the fruit
 of all your prayers and tears1 and     
works1 and sufferings4  ,and there you  
will enjoy the perpetual sight of the   
,holy ,one2 yea1 you  shall see him as  
he is3 and shall love1 and praise1 and  
serve him1  and magnify his name all the
 days of eternity40    8,and when the   
,son of ,man shall come in his glory1   

you shall come with  him in the clouds  
of heaven2 you shall sit with him in the
 seat of  judgment1 when he passeth     
sentence on all the workers of iniquity4
 ,also1  when he shall return to the    
throne of his ,majesty on high1 you     
shall  go up too1 with the sound of the 
trump1 and drink of those rivers of     
pleasure1 which flow at his right-hand  
for evermore40    ,now1 while they were 
thus drawing near the gate1 behold a    
company of  the heavenly host came out  
to meet them2 to whom their conductors  
said1  8,these are the men that have    
loved our ,lord while they were in the  
world1 and that have left all for his   
sake2 and we have brought them  hither1 
that they may go and see their          
,redeemer's face with joy40 ,then  the  
heavenly host gave a great shout1       
saying1 ,blessed are they that  are     
called to the marriage-supper of the    
,lamb4    ,they then compassed them     
round on every side1 some having        
trumpets in  their hands1 and           

continually sounding as they went1 and  
praising ,him  that liveth for ever and 
ever4 ,in the mean time both their looks
 and  gestures shewed how welcome       
,christian and ,hopeful were4    ,now   
when they were come up to the gate1 they
 saw writ over it in  letters of gold1  
,blessed are they that do his           
commandments1 that they  may have right 
to the tree of life1 and enter in       
through the gates into  the city4       
,then the shining ones called to them   
within the gate1 saying1  8,these are   
come from the city of ,destruction1     
through the love they  bear to our      
,king40 ,they then gave in their        
certificates1 which they  had received  
at the beginning4 ,these were carried to
 the ,king1 who  immediately sent1 and  
commanded to open the gate1 that the    
righteous  nation1 said he1 that keepeth
 the truth1 may enter in4    ,now ,i saw
 in my dream1 that these two men went in
 at the gate1 and  lo6 as they entered  
they were transfigured1 and their       

raiment was  glittering1 and white as   
snow4 ,there were also given to them    
golden  harps1 wherewith to praise him  
that sat upon the throne1 and the ,lamb 
that liveth for evermore4 ,it was then  
said to them1 ,well done1 good  and     
faithful servants1 enter ye into the joy
 of your ,lord4    ,just then ,ignorance
 came to the river-side1 and got over   
with little  difficulty3 for one        
,vain-hope1 a ferryman happening to be  
there1  carried him over in his boat4   
,so he ascended the hill1 and coming up 
to the gate1 immediately began to knock4
 ,he was asked by them that were        
within1 8,whence do you come8 and what  
would you have80 ,he answered1  8,i have
 eat and drank in the presence of the   
,king1 and he hath taught  in our       
streets40 ,they asked again1 8,have you 
any certificate80 ,but he  answered     
never a word4 ,so they told the ,king1  
who commanded1 and they  bound him hand 
and foot1 and took him up and carried   
him through the  air1 to the door that  

,i saw on the side of the hill1 and cast
 him in  there4 ,then ,i saw that there 
was a way to hell1 even from the gates  
of  heaven4 ,so ,i awoke4               
,a ,word of ,advice to                  
,,saints and ,,sinners4      99#a4 ,a   
,,word of advice to my own heart and    
thine4 ,thou partakest of the           
ordinances of ,god4 ,thou dost well4    
,but if thou hast not the blood of      
,christ at the root of all1 they will   
prove but painted pageantry to go  to   
hell in4    ,try every day1 on what     
bottom thy hope of glory is built1 and  
whether  it was laid by the hand of     
,christ4 ,if not it will never be able  
to  endure the storm that must come     
against it4 ,satan will throw it all    
down1 and great will be the fall        
thereof4    99,glorious professor6 ,thou
 shalt be winnowed2 every vein of thy   
profession will be tried to the purpose3
 'tis terrible to have it all  come     
tumbling down1 and to find nothing to   
bottom upon4    99,soaring professor6   

,see to thy waxen wings betimes2 they   
will melt  with the heat of temptations4
 ,what a misery is it1 to trade much1   
and  break at length2 and to have no    
stock1 no foundation laid for eternity6 
99,gifted professor6 ,look there be not 
a worm at the root that will  spoil all 
thy fine gourd1 and make it die about   
thee1 in a day of  scorching3 look over 
thy soul daily1 and ask1 ,where is the  
blood of  ,christ to be seen upon it8   
,many eminent professors have come at   
length  to cry out1 ,undone1 undone to  
all eternity6    #b4 ,consider the      
greatest sins may be hid under the      
greatest duties4  ,see the wound that   
sin hath made in thy soul be perfectly  
cured  by the blood of ,christ2 not     
skinned over with duties1 humblings1    
enlargements4 ,apply what thou wilt     
besides the blood of ,christ1  it will  
poison the sore4 ,thou wilt find that   
sin was never mortified  truly2 nothing 
can kill it but the beholding ,christ's 
righteousness4    ,nature can afford no 

balsam fit for the cure of a soul4      
,healing from  duty1 and not from       
,christ1 is the most desperate disease4 
,poor ragged  nature1 with all its      
highest improvements1 can never spin a  
garment  fine enough to cover the soul's
 nakedness4 ,nothing is fit for that    
use1  but ,christ's perfect             
righteousness4    ,whatsoever is of     
nature's putting on1 ,satan will come   
and plunder it1  and leave the soul     
naked and open to the wrath of ,god4    
,all that nature  can do will never make
 up the least dram of grace that can    
mortify sin1  or look ,christ in the    
face one day4    #c4 ,thou goest on     
hearing1 praying1 and receiving1 yet    
miserable mayst  thou be4 ,look about   
thee2 didst thou ever see ,christ to    
this day in  distinction from all other 
excellencies and righteousness in the   
world1  and all of them falling before  
the majesty of his love and grace6      
99,if thou hast seen ,christ truly1 thou
 hast seen pure grace1 pure             

righteousness1 far exceeding all sin and
 misery4 ,if thou hast seen  ,christ1   
thou wouldst not do a duty without him  
for ten thousand worlds4  ,if ever thou 
sawest ,christ1 thou sawest him a rock1 
higher than ,satan  or sin2 and this    
rock doth follow thee1 and there will be
 a continual  dropping of honey and     
grace out of it to satisfy thee4        
,examine1 if ever  thou hast beheld     
,christ as the only begotten of the     
,father1 full of  grace and truth4 ,be  
sure thou art come to ,christ1 that thou
 standest  upon the rock of ages1 hast  
answered to his call to thy soul1 hast  
closed with him for justification4      
99#d4 ,men talk bravely of believing2   
but few know it4 ,christ is the  mystery
 of the scripture4 ,grace the mystery of
 ,christ4 ,believing is  the most       
wonderful thing in the world4 ,put any  
thing of thine own to  it1 and thou     
spoilest it2 ,christ will not so much as
 look at it for  believing4 ,when thou  
comest to ,christ1 thou must leave      

behind thee  thy own righteousness1 and 
bring nothing but thy sin4 7,oh that is 
hard67 ,leave behind all thy holiness1  
and bring nothing but thy wants  and    
miseries1 else ,christ is not fit for   
thee1 nor thou for ,christ4  ,christ    
will be a pure ,redeemer1 and thou must 
be an undone sinner1 or  ,christ and    
thou will never agree4 ,it's the hardest
 thing in the world  to take ,christ    
alone for righteousness3 that's to      
acknowledge him  ,christ4 ,join any     
thing to him of thy own1 and thou       
un-,christ's him4    ,whatever comes in 
when thou goest to ,god for acceptance1 
7besides  ,christ7 call it anti-christ2 
bid it be gone2 make only ,christ's     
righteousness triumphant2 all besides   
that1 is ,babylon1 which must  fall if  
,christ stand2 and thou shalt rejoice in
 the day of the fall  thereof4 ,christ  
alone did tread the wine-press1 and     
there was none  with him4 ,if thou join 
any thing to ,christ1 ,christ will      
trample upon it  in fury and anger1 and 

stain his raiment with the blood        
thereof4 ,thou  thinkest it easy to     
believe3 was ever thy faith tried with a
 thorough  sight of sin8 ,was it ever   
put to grapple with ,satan1 and the     
wrath of  ,god lying upon the           
conscience8 ,when thou wast in the mouth
 of hell1  then did ,god shew thee      
,christ a ransom8 ,if then thou couldst 
say1 ,oh  ,i see grace enough in        
,christ6 ,thou mayst say that which is  
the biggest  word in the world1 thou    
believest2 but untried faith is         
uncertain  faith4    99#e4 ,to          
believing1 there must go a clear        
conviction of sin1 and the  merits of   
the blood of ,christ1 and of ,christ's  
willingness to save  upon this          
consideration merely1 that thou art a   
sinner3 things all  harder than to make 
a world4 ,all the power in nature cannot
 get up  so high1 in a storm of sin and 
guilt1 as really to believe there is    
any willingness in ,christ to save4     
,when ,satan chargeth sin upon the      

conscience1 then to charge it upon      
,christ1 that is gospel like4  ,that is 
to make him ,christ1 he serves for that 
use4 ,to accept his  blood alone for    
salvation1 that is the sum of the       
gospel4 ,when the  soul1 in all duties  
and distresses1 can say1 nothing but    
,christ for  justification1             
sanctification1 redemption2 not         
humblings1 not duties1  not graces1 that
 soul hath got above the reach of the   
billows4    ,all ,satan's advantages are
 laid in self-righteousness4 ,god       
pursueth  this by setting ,satan upon   
thee2 this must be torn from thee2 this 
alone hinders ,christ from coming in2   
and till ,christ come in1 guilt  will   
not go out2 and where guilt is1 there is
 hardness of heart4    #f4 ,when guilt  
is raised up1 take heed of getting it   
allay'd any way but  by ,christ's blood4
 ,make ,christ thy peace1 not thy       
duties1 thy tears3  ,christ thy         
righteousness1 not thy graces4 ,look at 
,christ and do as much  as thou wilt4   

,stand with all thy weight upon         
,christ's righteousness2  take heed of  
having one foot on thy own              
righteousness1 another on  ,christ's4   
,till ,christ come and sit on high upon 
a throne of grace1  there is nothing but
 guilt and terror1 the soul hanging     
between hope  and fear1 which is an     
un-gospel state4    ,he that fears to   
see the utmost hell of his own heart1   
suspects the  merit of ,christ4 ,be thou
 never such a sinner1 try ,jesus ,christ
 the  righteous4 ,in all doubtings1     
fears1 storms of conscience1 look at    
,christ continually4 ,do not argue with 
,satan 7he desires no better7  bid him  
go to ,christ1 and he will answer him2  
it is his office to be  our advocate1   
his office to answer justice1 and he is 
sworn to that  office4 ,put ,christ upon
 it4 ,if thou wilt do any thing thyself1
 as to  satisfaction for sin1 thou      
renouncest ,christ the righteous4       
99#g4 ,satan may alledge scripture1 but 
he cannot answer scripture4 ,it is      

,christ's word of mighty authority2     
,christ foiled ,satan with it4 ,in all  
the scripture there is not an ill word  
against a poor sinner1 stript  of his   
own righteousness4 ,nay1 it plainly     
points out this man for the  grace of   
the gospel1 and none else4 ,believe but 
,christ's willingness1  and that will   
make thee willing4 ,if thou find thou   
canst not believe2  remember it is      
,christ's work to make thee believe4    
,put him upon it4 ,he  works to will and
 to do4 ,mourn for thy unbelief1 which  
is setting up  guilt above ,christ2 an  
undervaluing the merits of ,christ1     
accounting  his blood an unholy1 a      
common1 and unsanctifying thing4        
,thou complainest much of thyself4 ,doth
 thy sin make thee look more  at        
,christ2 less at thyself8 ,that is      
right2 else complaining is but          
hypocrisy4 ,to be looking at duties and 
graces1 when thou shouldest be  looking 
at ,christ1 that is pitiful3 looking at 
them will but make thee  proud2 looking 

at ,christ will make thee humble4 ,in   
all thy temptations1  be not            
discouraged4 ,those surges may be 7not  
to break thee1 but7 to  heave thee off  
thyself1 on the rock ,christ4    ,thou  
mayst be brought low1 even to the brink 
of hell1 ready to tumble  in2 thou canst
 not be brought lower than the belly of 
hell1 yet there  thou mayst look towards
 the holy temple4 ,into the old temple  
none  might enter but purified ones1 and
 with an offering too4 ,but now ,christ 
is our temple1 to whom none must come   
but sinners1 and that without  any      
offering1 but his own blood once        
offered4    #h4 ,thou thinkest1 oh1 what
 a monument of grace should ,i be6      
,there  are many thousands as rich      
monuments as thou4 ,the greatest sinner 
did  never pass the grace of ,christ4   
,when the clouds are blackest1 then look
  towards ,christ1 the standing pillar  
of the ,father's love4 ,his blood       
speaks reconciliation1 redemption1      
liberty1 nighness to ,god4 ,not a drop  

of his blood shall be lost4 ,stand and  
hearken what ,god will say1 for he  will
 speak peace to his people1 that they   
return no more to folly4 ,he  speaks    
grace1 mercy1 and peace4 ,that is the   
language of the ,father and  of ,christ4
 ,wait for ,christ's appearing1 as the  
morning star4 ,he shall  come as certain
 as the morning1 as refreshing as the   
rain4    99,the sun may as well be      
hindered from rising1 as ,christ the    
,son of  righteousness4 ,look not a     
moment off ,christ4 ,look not upon sin1 
but  look upon ,christ also4 ,in every  
duty look at ,christ1 before duty1 to   
pardon2 in duty1 to assist2 after duty1 
to accept4 ,without this it is  but     
carnal1 careless duty4 ,let sin break   
thy heart1 but not thy hope in  the     
gospel4    #i4 ,if thou hast looked at  
works1 duties1 qualifications1 more than
  at the merits of ,christ1 it will cost
 thee dear4 ,no wonder thou goest       
complaining2 graces may be evidences1   
but the merits of ,christ must be  the  

foundation of thy hope4    ,when we come
 to ,god1 we must bring nothing but     
,christ with us4 ,any  ingredients of   
our own1 will poison faith4 ,he that    
builds upon duties  or graces1 knows not
 the merits of ,christ4 ,this makes     
believing so hard1  so far above nature2
 if thou believest1 thou must every day 
renounce  thy obedience1 thy            
sanctification1 thy duties1 thy graces1 
and nothing  but ,christ must be held   
up4 ,thou must take from ,god's hand4   
,christ is  the gift of ,god4 ,faith is 
the gift of ,god4 ,pardon a free gift4  
,ah1 how  nature storms1 frets1 rageth  
at this1 that all is of gift1 and it    
can purchase nothing with tears and     
duties2 that all its workings are       
excluded1 and of no value in heaven6    
,consider1 didst thou ever yet see the  
merits of ,christ1 and the  infinite    
satisfaction made by his death8 ,didst  
thou see this when the  burthen of sin  
and the wrath of ,god lay heavy on thy  
conscience8 ,that  is grace4 ,the       

greatness of ,christ's merit is not     
known but to a poor  soul at the        
greatest loss4 99,slight convictions    
will but have slight  prizings of       
,christ's blood and merits4    99#aj4   
,despairing sinner6 ,thou lookest on thy
 right hand and on thy  left1 saying1   
,who will shew us any good8 ,look at    
,christ and be  saved1 all ye ends of   
the earth4 ,there is none else4 ,he is a
 ,saviour1  and there is none besides   
him4 ,look any where else1 and thou art 
undone4 ,god will look at nothing but   
,christ1 and thou must look at  nothing 
else4 ,christ is lifted up on high 7as  
the brazen serpent in  the wilderness7  
that sinners at the ends of the earth1  
at the greatest  distance may see him4  
,the least sight of him will be saving1 
the least  touch healing to thee2 and   
,god intends thou shouldst look on him1 
for  he hath set him on a high throne of
 glory1 in the open view of all poor    
sinners4 ,thou hast infinite reason to  
look on him4 ,for he will bear thy      

burdens2 he will forgive1 not only till 
seven times1 but seventy times  seven4  
,it put the faith of the apostle to it  
to believe this1 ,luke  xvii4 #d1 #e4   
because we are hard to forgive1 we think
 ,christ is hard4         8heard0       
replaced with 8hard0    #aa4 ,hear what 
he said1 ,i have found a ransom4 ,in him
 ,i am well  pleased4 ,god will have    
nothing else2 nothing else will do thee 
good1  or satisfy conscience but        
,christ1 who satisfied the ,father4 ,god
 doth  all upon the account of ,christ4 
,thy deserts are hell1 wrath1 rejection4
  ,christ's deserts are life and pardon4
 ,he will not only shew thee  the one1  
but he will give thee the other4 ,it is 
,christ's own glory  and happiness to   
pardon4 ,consider1 while ,christ was    
upon earth1 he was  more among          
,publicans and ,sinners than among      
,scribes and ,pharisees3  and he hath   
the same love now in heaven2 he is ,god 
and changeth not4  ,he went through all 
temptations1 sorrows1 desertions2 and   

hath drank  the bitterest of the cup1   
and left thee the sweet2 the            
condemnation is  out4 ,christ drank up  
all the ,father's wrath at one draught2 
and nothing  but salvation is left for  
thee4 ,thou sayst thou canst not        
believe1  thou canst not repent3 fitter 
for ,christ1 if thou hast nothing but   
sin and misery4 ,go to ,christ with all 
thy impenitency and unbelief1  to get   
faith and repentance2 that is glorious4 
,tell ,christ1 ,lord1 ,i  have brought  
no righteousness1 no grace to be        
justified by2 ,i am come  for thine1 and
 must have it4 ,we would be bringing to 
,christ1 and that  must not be2 not a   
penny of nature's highest improvements  
will pass in  heaven4    #ab4 ,to say in
 compliment1 ,i am a sinner1 is easy2   
but to pray with  the ,publican indeed1 
,lord1 be merciful to me a sinner1 is   
the hardest  prayer in the world4 ,it is
 easy to say1 ,i believe in ,christ2 but
  not to see him full of grace and      
truth1 of whole fullness thou mayst     

receive grace for grace4 ,it is easy to 
profess ,christ with the mouth2  but to 
confess him with the heart1 that is     
above flesh and blood4 ,many  call      
,christ ,saviour2 few know him so4 ,to  
see grace and salvation in  ,christ is  
the greatest sight in the world2 none   
can do that1 but at  the same time they 
shall see that glory and salvation are  
theirs4 ,i  may be ashamed to think that
 to this day ,i have known so little of 
the  blood of ,christ1 which is the main
 thing of the gospel4 ,a christless1    
formal profession is the blackest sight 
next to hell4 ,thou mayst have  many    
good things1 and yet one thing may be   
wanting1 that may make thee  go away    
sorrowful from ,christ4 ,thou hast never
 sold all thou hast1  never parted with 
all thine own righteousness4 ,thou mayst
 be high  in duty1 and yet a perfect    
adversary to ,christ4 ,in every prayer1 
in  every ordinance1 labour after       
sanctification to thy utmost2 but make  
not a ,christ of it to save thee2 if so1

 it must come down one way or  other4   
,christ's infinite satisfaction1 not thy
 sanctification1 must be  justification 
before ,god4 ,when the ,lord shall      
appear terrible out of  his holy place1 
fire shall consume that as hay and      
stubble4 ,this will  be sound religion1 
only to bottom all upon the everlasting 
mountains  of ,god's love and grace in  
,christ1 to live continually in the     
sight  of ,christ's infinite merits     
7they are sanctifying1 without them the 
heart is carnal7 and in those sights to 
see the full vileness of sin1  and to   
see all pardoned2 in those sights to    
pray and hear1 seeing all  thy weak     
performances accepted continually1 to   
trample upon all thy own  righteousness1
 and be found continually in the        
righteousness of ,christ  only4 ,without
 the blood of ,christ on the conscience1
 all is dead  service4    #ac4 ,search  
the scriptures daily1 as mines of gold1 
wherein the heart  of ,christ is laid4  
,watch against constitutional sins2 see 

them in  their vileness1 and they shall 
never break out into act4 ,keep always  
an humble1 empty1 broken frame of heart1
 sensible of any spiritual  miscarriage1
 observant of all inward workings1 fit  
for the highest  communications4 ,keep  
not guilt in the conscience1 but apply  
the blood  of ,christ immediately4 ,god 
chargeth sin and guilt upon thee1 to    
make  thee look to ,christ the brazen   
serpent4    ,judge not ,christ's love by
 providence1 but by promises4 ,bless    
,god for  any way whereby he keeps the  
soul awakened and looking after ,christ3
  better sickness and temptations1 than 
security and slightness4    99,a flighty
 spirit will turn a profane spirit1 and 
will sin and  pray too4 ,slightness is  
the bane of profession4 ,if it be not   
rooted  out of the heart by constant and
 serious dealings with1 and beholdings  
of ,christ in duties1 it will grow more 
strong and more deadly1 by  being under 
church ordinances4 ,be serious and exact
 in duty1 having  the weight of it upon 

thy heart2 but be as much afraid of     
grounding  thy comfort on duties as on  
sins4 ,comfort from any hand but ,christ
 is  deadly4 ,be much in prayer1 or you 
will never keep up much communion  with 
,god4 ,as you are in closet prayer1 so  
you will be in all other  ordinances4   
#ad4 ,be true to truth1 but not         
turbulent and scornful2 restore such as 
are fallen1 with all the bowels of      
,christ4 ,set the broken disjointed     
bones with the grace of the gospel6     
,despise not the weak2 thou mayst  come 
to wish to be in the condition of the   
meanest of them4 ,be faithful  to others
 infirmities1 but sensible of thine own4
 ,visit sick beds and  deserted souls   
much2 they are excellent scholars in    
experience4    ,abide in your calling4  
,be dutiful to all relations as to the  
,lord4  ,be content with little of the  
world2 little will serve4 ,think every  
little much1 because unworthy of the    
least4 ,think every one better  than    
thyself2 loathing thyself as one fit to 

be trampled on by all  saints4 ,see the 
vanity of the world and love nothing but
 ,christ4 ,mourn  to see so little of   
,christ in the world4 ,to a secure soul 
,christ is but  a fable1 the scripture  
but a story4 ,mourn to think how many   
are under  church order that are not    
under grace4 ,prepare for the cross2    
welcome  it2 bear it triumphantly like  
,christ's cross1 whether1 scoffs1       
mockings1  contempt1 imprisonments4,but 
see it be ,christ's cross1 not thine    
own4    #ae4 ,sin will hinder from      
glorying in the cross of ,christ4 ,and  
omitting  little things against light   
may breed hell in the conscience1 as    
well as committing the greatest sins4   
,if thou hast been taken out  of the    
belly of hell into ,christ's bosom1 and 
made sit among princes  in the houshold 
of ,god1 ,oh1 how shouldest thou live as
 a pattern of  mercy6,redeemed1 restored
 soul1 what infinite sums dost thou owe 
,christ6 ,with what zeal shouldst thou  
walk1 and do every duty6 ,sabbaths1     

what praising days should they be to    
thee6,church fellowship6 ,what a        
heaven1 a being with ,christ1 and       
angels1 and saints6 ,what a drowning of 
the soul in eternal love1 as a burial   
with ,christ1 dying to all things       
besides him6 ,every time thou thinkest  
of ,christ be astonished2 and when  thou
 seest sin1 look at ,christ's grace1    
that did pardon it2 and when  thou art  
proud1 look at ,christ's grace1 that    
shall strike thee down in  the dust4    
99,remember ,christ's time of love4     
,when thou wast naked1 then he chose    
thee4 ,canst thou ever have a proud     
thought8 ,remember whose arms  supported
 thee from sinking1 and delivered thee  
from the lowest hell1  and shout in the 
ears of angels and men1 and for ever    
sing praise1  praise6 ,grace1 grace6    
,daily repent and pray2 and walk in the 
sight of  grace1 as one that hath the   
anointings of grace upon thee4 ,remember
  thy sins1 ,christ's pardonings2 thy   
deserts1 ,christ's merits2 thy          

weakness1 ,christ's strength2 thy pride1
 ,christ's humility2 thy guilts1        
,christ's new application of his blood2 
thy wants1 ,christ's fulness2 thy       
temptations1 ,christ's tenderness2 thy  
vileness1 ,christ's righteousness4      
#af4 ,trifle not with ordinances4 ,be   
much in meditation and prayer4 ,wait    
diligently upon all opportunities of    
hearing4 ,we have need of doctrine1     
reproof1 exhortation1 consolation1 as   
the tender herb and the grass  hath of  
the rain1 the dew1 the small rain1 and  
showers4 ,do all thou  dost as unto     
,christ1 as immediately dealing with    
,christ ,jesus1 as if he  were looking  
on thee1 and thou on him1 and fetch all 
thy strength from  him4    99,observe   
what holy motions you find in your souls
 to duties2 prize  the least good       
thought thou hast of ,christ4 ,the least
 good word thou  speakest of him from   
the heart1 is rich mercy3 ,o bless ,god 
for it6  ,observe1 if every day you have
 the ,day-spring from on high1 with his 

morning dews of mourning for sin1       
constantly visiting thee4 ,have you  the
 bright morning star1 with fresh        
influences of grace and peace           
constantly arising1 and ,christ sweetly 
greeting the soul in all duties8  ,what 
duties make not more spiritual1 will    
make more carnal2 what do not  quicken  
and humble1 will deaden and harden4     
#ag4 ,judas had a sop3 but ,john leaned 
on ,christ's bosom2 that's  the posture 
in which we should pray1 and hear1 and  
perform all duties4  ,nothing but lying 
in that bosom will dissolve all hardness
 of heart1  and make thee to mourn      
kindly for sin4 ,that will humble       
indeed1 and  make the soul cordial to   
,christ1 and sin vile to the soul4      
,never think  thou art as thou shouldst 
be1 until thou come to this1 always to  
see  and feel thyself lying in the bosom
 of ,christ1 who is in the bosom of  his
 ,father4 ,come and move the ,father for
 a sight of ,christ1 and you  shall be  
sure to speed2 you can come with no     

request that pleaseth him  better2 he   
gave him out of his own bosom for that  
very end1 to be held  up before the eyes
 of all sinners1 as the everlasting     
monument of his  ,father's love4        
,looking at the natural sun weakeneth   
the eye4 ,the more you look at  ,christ1
 the son of righteousness1 the stronger 
and clearer will the eye  of faith be4  
,look but at ,christ1 you will love him1
 and live on him4  ,think on him        
continually2 keep the eye constantly    
upon ,christ's blood1  or every blast of
 temptation will shake you4 ,if you will
 see sin's  sinfulness1 to loath it and 
mourn1 do not stand looking on sin only1
  but look upon ,christ as suffering and
 satisfying4 ,if you would see your     
grace1 your sanctification1 do not stand
 gazing upon them1 but look at          
,christ's righteousness first2 look at  
your grace in the second place4    #ah4 
99,have nothing to do with thy graces   
and sanctification till thou  hast seen 
,christ first4 ,he that looks upon      

,christ through his graces1  is like one
 that sees the sun in water1 which      
wavereth and moveth  as the water doth4 
,look upon ,christ as shining in the    
firmament of  the ,father's love1 and   
you will see him in his own glory4      
,pride and  unbelief will put you upon  
seeing somewhat in yourself first2 but  
faith will have to do with none but     
,christ1 who must swallow up thy        
sanctification as well as thy sin4 ,he  
that sets up his sanctification  to look
 at first1 he sets up the greatest idol1
 which will strengthen  his doubts and  
fears4 ,do but look off ,christ1 and    
presently 7like  ,peter7 you sink in    
doubts4    ,if you would pray and       
cannot1 and so are discouraged1 see     
,christ  praying for you3 if you are    
troubled1 see ,christ your peace leaving
  you peace when he went up into heaven1
 again and again charging you not  to be
 troubled1 so as to obstruct your       
comfort or your believing4 ,he  is now  
upon the throne1 having spoiled upon his

 cross all whatsoever  can hurt or annoy
 thee3 he hath borne all thy sins1      
sorrows1 troubles1  temptations1 and is 
gone to prepare mansions for thee4      
#ai4 99,thou who hast seen ,christ all1 
and thyself absolutely nothing1 who     
makest ,christ all thy life1 and art    
dead to all righteousness besides2  do  
,christ this one favour for all his love
 to thee1 love all his poor  saints1    
7the meanest1 the weakest1              
notwithstanding any difference in       
judgment7 they are engraven on his      
heart1 let them be so on thine4  ,pray  
for the peace of ,jerusalem1 they shall 
prosper that love thee4  ,psalms cxxii4 
#f4                                     
,,christian ,,letters4                  
,by ,mr4 ,,joseph ,,alleine4            
,to the ,,reader4    ,,the letters of   
,mr4 ,samuel ,rutherford1 have been     
generally admired  by all the children  
of ,god1 into whose hands they have     
fallen1 for  the vein of piety1 trust in
 ,god1 and holy zeal1 which runs through

  them4 ,the same piety1 zeal1 and      
confidence in ,god1 shine through all   
the letters of ,mr4 ,alleine3 so that in
 this respect he may well be  stiled1   
the ,english ,rutherford4 ,but yet there
 is a very discernible  difference      
between them3 in piety and fervour of   
spirit they are the  same3 but the      
fervour of the one more resembles that  
of ,st4 ,paul1 of  the other1 that of   
,st4 ,john4 ,they were both men of the  
most intrepid  courage3 but in love ,mr4
 ,alleine has the pre-eminence4 ,he     
seems  to excel in bowels of mercies1   
meekness1 gentleness1 in tenderness1    
mildness1 and sweetness of spirit1 even 
to his bitterest enemies4 ,i do  not    
therefore scruple to give these letters 
the preference1 even to ,mr4            
,rutherford's3 as expressing1 in a still
 higher degree1 the love that  is       
long-suffering and kind1 which is not   
provoked1 which thinketh  no evil1 and  
which hopeth1 believeth1 and endureth   
all things4                             

,,john ,,wesley4          ,,london1     
,march #g1 #agfg4                       
,,letter ,i4              ,to his wife  
concerning his acceptance of ,taunton4  
,my dear heart1    ,,by this time ,i    
hope thou hast received mine1 touching  
,taunton4 ,i find  my heart much        
inclining that way4 ,i will tell thee   
the principles upon  which ,i go4       
,first1 ,i lay this for a foundation1   
,that a man's life consists not  in the 
abundance of the things that he         
possesseth4 ,it was accounted a  wise   
prayer that ,agur put up1 to be fed with
 food convenient for him4  ,and certain 
it is1 that where men have least of the 
world1 they esteem  it least1 and live  
more by faith in ,god1 casting their    
care and burden  upon him4 ,o the sweet 
breathing of ,david's soul6 ,the strong 
actings  of his faith when his condition
 was low and mean6 ,how fully doth he   
rely upon ,god4 ,and certainly could we 
that are unexperienced1 but feel  the   
thorns of those cares and troubles1 that

 there are in gathering  and keeping    
much1 and the danger when riches        
increase of setting our  hearts upon    
them1 we should prize the happiness of a
 middle condition4  ,doubtless1         
godliness with contentment is great     
gain4 ,seekest thou  great things for   
thyself 7said the prophet to ,baruch7   
seek them  not4 ,certainly a good       
conscience is a continual feast1 and    
enough for  a happy life4               
99,secondly1 ,i take this for an        
undoubted truth1 that a dram of grace   
is better than a talent of wealth2 and  
therefore such a place where  we have   
little to do with the world to take off 
our thoughts from the  things of        
eternity1 and have the advantage of     
abundance of means1 and  the daily      
opportunities of warming our hearts with
 the blessed society  of ,christians1 is
 7if we pass a true spiritual judgment7 
without  comparison before another      
place1 void of those spiritual          
advantages4  ,let us think1 what though 

our purses may thrive better in a place 
of large maintenance2 yet where are our 
souls like to thrive any way  answerable
 to what they are in this8 ,we should   
have but little in  the world1 but what 
is this1 if it be made up to us1 in     
communion  with ,god and his people8 ,if
 we thrive in faith1 and love1 humility1
  and heavenly-mindedness1 what matter  
is it1 though we do not raise  ourselves
 in the world8 ,oh6 ,who would leave so 
much grace1 and so much  comfort in     
communion with ,christ and his saints1  
for the probabilities  of living a      
little more handsomely4 ',tis a strange 
thing to see how  ,christians generally 
judge4 ,what is it worth a year8 ,is the
 maintenance  certain8 ,what charges are
 there like to be8 ,these are the       
questions we  commonly ask first1 when  
we speak of settling4 ,but alas1 though 
those  things are to be considered too1 
yet what good am ,i like to do8 ,what   
good am ,i like to get8 ,these should be
 the chief things we should judge  by4  

,what if we have but a little in the    
world8 ,why then we must keep  but a    
short table1 and give the meaner        
entertainment to our friends4  ,o1 but  
will not this be abundantly made up1 if 
we have more outward and  inward peace8 
,let others hug themselves in their     
corn1 and wine1 and  oil1 in their fat  
livings1 and their large tables1 if we  
have more of  the light of ,god's       
countenance1 who would change with them8
    ,thirdly1 ,that the surest way to   
have any outward mercy1 is to be        
content to want it4 ,when men's desires 
are over-eager after the world1  they   
must have thus much a year1 and a house 
well furnished1 and wife1  and children1
 thus and thus qualified1 ,god doth     
usually1 break their  wills by denying  
them1 as one would cross a froward child
 of his  stubborn humour3 or else puts a
 sting into them1 that a man had been   
as well without them4 ,the best way to  
get riches1 is out of doubt to  set them
 lowest in one's desires4 ,solomon found

 it so3 he did not ask  riches1 but     
wisdom1 but ,god was so pleased1 that he
 threw in them into  the bargain4       
,nothing sets ,god's mercies farther off
 than the want of  free submission to   
want them4 ,certainly1 ,god will never  
be behind hand  with us4 ,let our care  
be to build his house1 and let him alone
 to build  ours4    99,fourthly1 ,that  
none ever was1 or ever shall be1 a loser
 by ,jesus  ,christ4 ,many have lost    
much for him1 but never did1 never shall
 any  lose by him4 ,take this for a     
certainty1 whatsoever outward comforts  
we  leave1 or outward advantages1 that  
we may glorify him in our services1  and
 enjoy him in all his ordinances more   
than other-where we could1 we  shall    
receive an hundred fold in this life4   
',tis a sad thing to see how  little    
,christ is trusted2 men will trust him  
no farther than they can  see him4      
,alas1 hath he not a thousand ways1 both
 outward and inward1 to  make up a      
little outward advantage to us8 ,have   

any ventured themselves  upon him in his
 way1 but he made good every promise to 
them8 ,let us  therefore exercise our   
faith1 and stay ourselves on the        
promise1 and  see if ever we are ashamed
 of our hope4    ,fifthly1 ,that what is
 wanting in the means1 ,god will make up
 in the  blessing4 ,this ,i take for a  
certain truth1 while a man commits      
himself  and his affairs to ,god1 and is
 in any way that ,god put him into2 and 
if a man have but a little income1 if he
 have a great blessing1 that  will make 
it up4 ,alas1 we must not account of    
mercies by the bulk4 ,what  if another  
have a pound to my ounce1 if mine be    
gold for his silver1  ,i will never     
change with him4 ,as 'tis not bread that
 keeps men alive1  but the word of      
blessing that proceedeth out of the     
mouth of ,god2 so  'tis not the         
largeness of the means1 but the blessing
 of the ,lord that  maketh rich4 ,oh6   
,if men did but believe this they would 
not grasp so  much of the world as they 

do4 ,well1 let others take their course1
 and  we will take ours1 to wait upon   
,god by faith and prayer3 let others    
toil to enlarge their income1 we will   
pray ,god to enlarge our blessing1  and 
,i doubt not but we shall prove the     
gainers4    ,sixthly1 ,that every       
condition hath its snares1 and troubles1
 and  therefore we may not expect to be 
without them wherever we be2 only  that 
condition is most eligible that hath    
fewest and least4 ,i cannot  object any 
thing against the proposal of ,taunton1 
but the meanness  of the maintenance4   
,and let us consider how inconsiderable 
this  inconvenience is1 in comparison of
 those we must reckon upon meeting      
with1 if ,god cast us into another      
place4 ,upon these considerations1  ,i  
find my heart much inclined to accept of
 their offer at ,taunton4  ,i beseech   
thee to weigh the matter and tell me thy
 thoughts1 and which  way thy spirit    
inclines1 for ,i have always resolved   
the place ,i settled  in should be to   

thy content4 ,i have been so large in   
delivering my  judgment1 that ,i must   
thrust up my affections into a corner4  
,well1  though they have but a corner in
 my letter1 ,i am sure they have room   
enough in my heart3 but ,i must         
conclude2 the ,lord keep thee my dear1  
and cherish thee for ever in his bosom2 
farewell1 mine own soul4                
,i am1 as ever1 thine own heart1        
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,,oxon1 ,may #bg1
 #afei4                                 
,,letter ,,ii4               ,to my most
 dearly beloved1 my ,christian friends  
in ,taunton1 salvation4      ,most      
loving brethren1    ,i ,,shall never    
forget your old kindnesses2 would ,i    
never so fain forget  them1 yet ,i could
 not1 they are so continually renewed2  
for there is  never a day but ,i hear of
 them3 nay1 more than hear of them1 ,i  
feel and  taste them4 ,the ,god that    
hath promised they that give to a       
prophet  but a cup of cold water1 shall 
receive a prophet's reward3 he will     

recompense your labour of love1 your    
fervent prayers1 your care for my       
welfare1 and your bountiful supplies4 ,i
 do and will bless the ,lord as  long as
 ,i live1 that he hath cast my lot in so
 fair a place1 to dwell  in your        
communion2 and especially to go in and  
out before you1 and  to be the messenger
 of the ,lord of hosts to you1 to       
proclaim his law1  and to preach his    
excellencies1 to be his spokesman to    
you1 and to woo  for him1 to espouse you
 to one husband1 and to present you as a
 chaste  virgin unto ,christ4 ,lord6 how
 unworthy am ,i1 of this glorious       
dignity1  which ,i verily believe the   
brightest angels in heaven would be glad
 of6  ,i cannot repent1 notwithstanding 
all the difficulties that attend his    
despised servants1 and that are like to 
attend them2 ,i have set my hand  to his
 plough2 and when ,i was entered into   
the sacred office1 ,i told  you1 8,most 
gladly do ,i take up this office with   
all the persecution1  affliction1       

difficulties and inconveniences that do 
and may attend it40  ,and blessed be    
,god1 ,i am through his goodness of the 
same mind still2  and my tribulations   
for ,christ1 confirm my choice and      
resolution to  serve him with much more 
than my labours4 99,brethren1 let them  
take up  with the world that have no    
better portion2 be content that they    
should  bear away the riches1 and       
preferments1 and glory1 and splendor of 
the  world4 ,alas6 ,you have no reason  
to envy them3 verily they have a lie  in
 their right-hand3 ,ah6 ,how soon will  
their hopes fail them6 ,how soon  will  
the crackling blast be out1 and leave   
them in eternal darkness6  ,they shall  
go to the generation of their fathers1  
they shall never see  light2 like sheep 
they shall be laid in their graves1 and 
the upright  shall have dominion over   
them in the morning4 ,but for you1 my   
brethren1  ,i am jealous that none of   
you should come short of the glory of   
,god4  ,i am ambitious for you that you 

should be all the heirs of an endless   
life1 of the inheritance incorruptible1 
undefiled1 and that fadeth not  away4   
,ah my brethren6 ,why should you not be 
all happy8 ,i am jealous for you  with a
 godly jealousy1 lest a promise being   
left you of entering into  his rest1 any
 of you should come short of it4 ,o look
 diligently1 lest  any man fail of the  
grace of ,god6 ,how it grieves me that  
any of you  should fall short of mercy  
at last6 ,that any of that flock over   
which  the ,holy ,ghost made me         
overseer1 should perish3 when ,christ   
hath done  so much for you1 and when we1
 7through his grace17 have done somewhat
  to save them4 ,ah dear brethren6 ,i   
was in great earnest with you1 when ,i  
besought you out of the pulpit1 many a  
time1 to give a bill of divorce  to your
 sins1 to accept of the mercy that in   
the name of ,god ,almighty ,i  did there
 offer to you4 ,alas6 how it pitied me  
to look over so great a  congregation1  
and to think that ,i could not for my   

life1 persuade them1  one quarter of    
them1 to be saved8 ,how it moved me to  
see your diligence  in flocking to the  
most hazardous opportunities1 since the 
law forbad  my public preaching2 and yet
 to think that many of you that went so 
far1  were like to perish for ever for  
want of going farther6 ,how fain would  
,i carry you farther than the outward   
profession3 ,o1 how loath am ,i to      
leave you there8 ,how troubled to think 
that any of you should hazard  much for 
religion1 and yet miscarry for ever by  
the hand of secret  pride or untamed    
passion1 or an unbridled tongue1 or     
which ,i fear most  of all1 a           
predominant love of the world in your   
hearts4 ,alas1 is there  no remedy1 but 
,i must carry you to heaven's gate and  
leave you there8  ,oh1 that ,i should   
leave the work of your souls but half   
done2 and bring  you no farther than the
 almost of ,christianity6 ,hear1 ,o my  
people1  hear6 ,altho' ,i may command   
you1 upon your utmost peril1 in the name

  of the ,lord ,jesus that shall shortly
 judge you1 ,i beseech you1 ,i  warn you
 as a father doth his children3 to look 
to the securing of  your everlasting    
condition3 take heed of resting in the  
outer part of  religion1 but be restless
 till you find a thorough change within1
 that  you are quite new in the bent of 
your hearts2 for here is the main of    
religion3 for ,christ's sake1 for your  
soul's sake look to it1 that you  build 
upon the rock1 that you unfeignedly     
deliver yourselves to the  ,lord to be  
under his command1 and at his disposal  
in all things4 ,see  that you make no   
exceptions1 no reserve1 that you cast   
over-board all  your worldly hopes1 and 
count upon parting with all for ,christ3
 that  you take him alone for your whole
 happiness4 ,wonder not that ,i often   
inculcate this3 if it be well here1 it  
is well all2 if unsound here1  the error
 is in the foundation1 and you are      
undone4 ,brethren1 ,i see  great trials 
coming1 when we shall see professors    

fall like leaves  in autumn4 ,therefore 
is it that ,i would so fain have you    
look to your  standing1 and to secure   
the main4 ,o make sure whatever you do2 
get  and keep your evidences clear6 ,how
 dreadful would your temptation be1  if 
you should be called to part with all   
for ,christ1 and not be sure  of him    
neither6 ,get a clear understanding of  
the terms of life1 which  ,i have set   
before you in that form of covenanting  
with ,god in ,christ1  that ,i commended
 to you4 ,i would that none of you      
should be without a  copy of it3 be much
 in observing your own hearts1 and      
crying mightily  to ,god for assurance3 
be strict and watchful in your whole    
course1 and  ,i doubt not but you will  
quickly have it4    ,i cannot conclude  
till ,i have given you my unfeigned     
thanks for your  most kind and gracious 
letter4 ,sure it shall be in store with 
me1 and  laid up among my treasures4    
,that ,god is pleased to make use of me 
for  your edification1 is matter of     

highest joy unto me3 as also to see your
  stedfastness in ,christ1 your unshaken
 resolutions1 notwithstanding all  the  
tempter's wiles4 ,go on1 my dearly      
beloved1 and the ,lord strengthen  your 
hands and your hearts1 and lift you up  
above the fear of men4  ,the ,lord      
strengthen1 establish1 settle you and   
after you have suffered  awhile1 make   
you perfect3 ,i leave my brethren in the
 everlasting arms1  and rest1           
,your embassador in bonds1              
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
goal at ,ivelchester1      ,june #acth1 
#affc4         8goal0 is an old ,english
 form of the word 8gaol0                
,,letter ,,iii4            ,to the      
beloved people1 the inhabitants of the  
town of         ,taunton1 grace1 mercy1 
and peace1 from ,god our ,father1       
and from the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4      
,most endeared and beloved friends3     
,i ,,readily acknowledge myself a debtor
 to you all1 and a servant of all1  and 
therefore ,i have sent to salute you    

all4 ,my lines fell in a fair  place    
when the ,lord cast my lot among you2 ,i
 remember the tears and  prayers you    
have sent me hither with4 ,how can ,i   
forget how you poured  out your souls   
upon me2 and truly you are a people much
 upon my heart1  whose welfare is the   
matter of my continual prayers1 care1   
and study4  ,and oh6 that ,i knew how to
 do you good3 ,ah6 how certainly should 
never  a son of you miscarry4 ,ah6 how  
it pities me to think1 that so many of  
you should still remain in your sins4   
,once more1 oh6 my beloved1 once  more  
hear the call of the most high ,god unto
 you4 ,the prison preaches  to you the  
same doctrine as the pulpit did4 ,hear1 
,o people1 hear2 he  that hath an ear   
let him hear4 ,the ,lord of life and of 
glory offers you  all mercy1 and peace1 
and blessedness2 ,oh6 why should we die8
 ,whosoever  will1 let him take of the  
waters of life freely6 ,what miss of    
life1  when it is to be had for the     
taking6 ,god forbid4 ,o my brethren1 my 

soul  yearns for you1 and my bowels     
towards you4 ,ah1 that ,i did but know  
what  arguments to use with you3 who    
shall chuse my words that ,i may prevail
  with sinners not to reject their own  
mercy8 ,how shall ,i get within  them8  
,how shall ,i reach them8 ,o that ,i    
could get but between their sins  and   
them4 ,beloved brethren1 the ,lord      
,jesus hath made me1 most unworthy1  his
 spokesman1 to bespeak your hearts for  
him3 and oh1 that ,i knew but  how to   
woo for him1 that ,i might prevail6     
,these eight years have ,i been         
calling1 and yet how great a part remain
 visibly in their sins1 and how  few    
have ,i gained to ,christ by sound      
conversion8    ,many among you remain   
under the power of ignorance3 ah3 how   
often have  ,i told you the dangerous1  
yea1 damnable state that such are in4   
,never  flatter yourselves that you     
shall be saved though you go on in this2
  ,i have told you often1 and now tell  
you again1 ,god must be false1 if  ever 

you be saved without being brought out  
of the state of ignorance3  if ever you 
enter in at the door of heaven1 it must 
be by the key of  knowledge1 you cannot 
be saved1 except you be brought to the  
knowledge  of the truth4 ,a people that 
remain in gross ignorance1 that are     
without  understanding1 the ,lord that  
hath made them1 will not have mercy on  
them4 ,oh1 for the love of ,god and your
 souls1 ,i beseech you awake and  bestir
 yourselves to get the saving knowledge 
of ,god4 ,you that are  capable of      
learning a trade1 are you not capable of
 learning the way  to be saved8 ,and is 
it not pity that you should perish for  
ever for  want of a little pains1 and   
study1 and care to get the knowledge of 
,god8 ,study the catechism2 if possible1
 get it by heart2 if not1 read  it      
often1 or get it read to you2 cry unto  
,god for knowledge2 improve  the little 
you have by living answerably4 ,search  
the scriptures daily1  get them read to 
you if you cannot read them4 ,improve   

your sabbaths  diligently1 and ,i doubt 
not but in the use of these means1 you  
will  sooner arrive to the knowledge of 
,christ than of a trade4    ,many have  
escaped the gross pollutions of the     
world1 but stick in the  form of        
godliness4 ,o ,i am jealous for you6    
,that you may not lose the  things that 
you have wrought1 for the ,lord's sake  
put on1 and beware  of perishing in the 
suburbs of the city of refuge4 ,beg of  
,god to make  thorough work with you2 be
 jealous for yourselves and try your    
estates1  but only with those marks1    
that you are sure will abide ,god's     
trial4    ,but for you that fear the    
,lord in sincerity1 ,i have nothing but 
good  and comfortable words3 may your   
souls ever live4 ,what condition can    
you devise wherein there will not be    
matter of joy unspeakable to you4  ,o   
beloved1 know your own happiness1 and   
live in that holy admiring1  adoring1   
praising of your gracious ,god1 that    
becomes the people of his  praise4 ,the 

good will of him that dwelt in the bush 
with you all4 ,the  ,lord create a      
defence upon you1 and deliverance for   
you3 ,the ,lord cover  you all the day1 
and make you to dwell between his       
shoulders6 ,i desire  your constant1    
instant1 earnest prayers for me1 and    
rest1             ,a willing labourer1  
and thankful sufferer for you4          
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
goal1 in ,ivelchester1        ,july     
#dth1 #affc4                            
,,letter ,,iv4             ,to my most  
endeared friends1 the servants of       
,christ                      in         
,taunton1 grace and peace4      ,most   
dearly beloved and longed for1    my joy
 and crown3    ,,my heart's desire and  
prayer to ,god for you is1 that you may 
be saved4  ,i know that you are the butt
 of men's rage and malice3 but you may  
satisfy yourselves as ,david in         
sustaining ,shimei's curses3 it  may be 
the ,lord will look upon your           
affliction1 and requite good for  their 

cursing this day4 ,but however that be1 
hold on your way4 ,your  name indeed is 
cast out as evil1 and you are hated of  
all men for  ,christ's sake1 for        
cleaving to his ways and servants3 but  
let not  this discourage you1 for you   
are now more than ever blessed3 only    
hold fast1 that no man take your crown4 
,let not any that have begun in  the    
spirit end in the flesh4 ,do not forsake
 ,god1 till he forsake you2  he that    
endureth to the end shall be saved3 the 
promise is to him that  overcometh2     
therefore think not of looking back3 now
 you have set your  hands to ,christ's  
plough1 though you labour and suffer1   
the crop will  pay for all3 now the     
,lord is trying who they be that will   
trust him4  ,the world are all for a    
present pay2 they must have something in
 hand1  and will not follow the ,lord   
when there are hazard and hardship in   
his  service4 ,but now is the time for  
you1 to prove yourselves believers1     
when there is nothing visible but hazard

 and expence1 and difficulty in  your   
,maker's service4 ,now1 my brethren1    
stand fast in faith1 quit you  like men1
 be strong3 if you can trust in his     
promises now1 when nothing  appears but 
bonds1 and losses1 and tribulation1 this
 will be like  believers4 99,brethren1  
,i beseech you to reckon upon no other  
but crosses  here4 ,let none of you     
flatter yourselves with dreams of       
sleeping in  your ease1 and temporal    
prosperity1 and carrying heaven too4    
,count not  upon rest till you come to  
the land of promise4 ,not that ,i would 
have  any of you to run upon hazards    
uncalled3 no1 we shall meet them soon   
enough in the way of our duty1 without  
we turn aside3 but ,i would have  you   
cast over-board your worldly hopes1 and 
be content to wait till  you come on the
 other side the grave4 ,is it not enough
 to have a whole  eternity of happiness8
 ,if ,god throws in the comforts of this
 life too1  ,i would not have you throw 
them back again1 or despise the goodness

 of  the ,lord3 but ,i would1 that you  
should use this world1 as not abusing   
it1 that you should be crucified to the 
world1 and the world to you2  that you  
should declare plainly that you seek a  
better country1 which  is an heavenly4  
,ah6 my dear brethren1 ,i beseech you   
carry it like  pilgrims and strangers2  
abstain from fleshly lusts which war    
against  your souls2 for what have we to
 do with the customs and fashions of    
this world1 who are strangers in it8 ,be
 contented with travellers lots3  know  
you not that you are in a strange land8 
,all is well as long as it  is well at  
home2 ,i pray you brethren1 daily       
consider your condition3  ,do you not   
remember that you are at an inn8 ,and   
what though you be  but meanly          
accommodated8 ,though you fare hard1 and
 lie hard6 ,is this a  strange thing8   
,what should travellers look for else8  
,indeed if you were  of the world1 the  
world would love his own4 ,but now ,god 
hath called you  out of the world2      

therefore the world hateth you4 ,but    
remember1 it is  your duty to love them1
 even while they hate you2 and to pray  
for mercy  for them1 that will shew no  
mercy1 or justice4 ,this ,i desire you  
to  observe as a great duty of the      
present times3 and let not any so forget
  their duty1 as to wish evil to them   
that do evil to us1 or to please        
themselves with the thoughts of being   
even with them4 ,let us commit          
ourselves to him that judgeth           
righteously1 and shew ourselves the     
children of the ,most ,high1 who doth   
good to his enemies1 and is kind to  the
 unkind and unthankful3 ,and what though
 they do hate us8 ,their love  and      
goodwill were much more to be feared1   
than their hatred4 ,brethren1  keep     
yourselves in the love of ,god2 here is 
wisdom4 ,o happy souls1  that are his   
favourites6 ,for the ,lord's sake look  
to this1 make sure  of something3 look  
to your sincerity above all things3 let 
not any of  you conclude1 that because  

you are of the suffering party1         
therefore  all is well3 look to the     
foundation1 that your hearts be taken   
off from  every sin1 and set upon ,god  
as your blessedness3 beware that none of
  you have only a name to live1 and be  
no more than almost ,christians4  ,for  
the love of your souls1 make a diligent 
search1 and try upon what  ground you   
stand2 for it pities me to think any of 
you should hazard  so much1 and yet lose
 all at last4 ,but when once you bear   
the mark of  ,god's favour1 you need not
 fear the world's frowns3 chear up      
therefore1  brethren1 be strong in the  
,lord1 and of good courage under the    
world's  usage3 fear not1 in our        
,father's house there is bread enough1  
and room  enough3 this is sufficient to 
comfort us under all the inconveniences 
of the way1 that we have so happy a     
home1 so ready a ,father1 so goodly  an 
heritage4 ,oh1 comfort one another with 
these words3 let ,god see that  you can 
trust in his word3 let the world see    

that you can live upon ,god4  ,i shall  
share my prayers and loves among you    
all1 and commit you to the  almighty    
,god3 the keeper of ,israel that never  
slumbereth nor sleepeth1  be your       
watchman and keeper to the end1         
farewell4 ,i am1                    ,a  
fervent well-wisher of your temporal    
and eternal affairs1                    
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
goal at ,ivelchester1        ,july #bd1 
#affc4                                  
,,letter ,v4                      ,to my
 most dearly beloved friends1           
in ,taunton1 grace and peace4      ,most
 endeared ,christians4    ,,my heart is 
with you1 though ,i am absent4 ,dear    
fellow soldiers under  the captain of   
our salvation1 consider your calling1   
and approve  yourselves men of          
resolution2 be discouraged with no      
difficulties of  your present warfare4  
,as for human affairs1 ,i would have you
 to be as  you are1 men of peace4 ,i    
would have you armed1 not for resisting1

  ,god forbid2 but for suffering only4  
,you should resist1 to the  uttermost1  
striving against sin4 ,here you must    
give no quarter6 ,for if  you spare but 
one ,agag1 the life of your souls must  
go for the life  of your sin4 ,god will 
not smile on that soul that smiles on   
sin1 nor  have any peace with him1 that 
is at peace with his enemy4 ,other      
enemies  you must forgive1 and love1 and
 pray for2 but for these spiritual      
enemies1 all your affections1 and all   
your prayers must be engaged  against   
them3 yea1 you must admit no parley3 it 
is dangerous to  dispute with           
temptations4 99,remember what ,eve lost 
by parleying with  ,satan3 you must fly 
from temptations1 and put them off at   
first with a  peremptory denial4 ,if you
 will but hear the devil's arguments1   
and the  flesh's pleas1 it is an hundred
 to one but you are insnared4 ,and for  
this present evil world1 the ,lord      
deliver you from it4 ,surely you had    
need watch and be sober1 or else this   

world is like to undo you4 ,i  have     
often warned you not to build upon an   
external happiness2 and to  promise     
yourselves nothing but hardship here3   
,oh still remember your  station2       
soldiers must not count upon rest1 and  
fullness1 but hunger1  and hardness4    
,labour to get right apprehensions of   
the world4 ,do not  think these things  
necessary4 ,one thing is needful3 you   
may be happy  in the want of all outward
 comforts4 ,do not think yourselves     
undone1  if brought to want or poverty3 
study eternity1 and you will see it to  
be little material to you1 whether you  
are poor or rich3 you may have  never   
such an opportunity for your advantage  
in all your lives1 as when  you seem to 
run the vessel upon the rocks4 ,set your
 enemies one against  the other2 death  
against the world2 no such way to get   
above the world1  as to put yourselves  
into the possession of death4    99,look
 often upon the dust that you shall be  
reduced to1 and imagine you  saw your   

bones tumbled out of your graves1 as    
they are like shortly to  be1 and men   
handling your skulls1 and enquiring     
whose is this8 ,tell me1  of what       
account will the world be then8 ,put    
yourselves often into your  graves1 and 
look out from thence upon the world1 and
 see what judgment  you have of it4     
,must not you shortly be forgot among   
the dead8 ,your  places will know you no
 more1 and your memory will be no more  
among men1  and then what will it profit
 you to have lived in fashion and       
repute8  ,one serious walk over a       
church-yard1 might make a man mortified 
to the  world4 ,think upon how many you 
tread2 but ye know them not3 no doubt   
they had their estates1 their friends1  
their businesses1 and kept  as much stir
 in the world as others do now4 ,but    
alas1 what are they  the better for all 
this8 ,know you not that this must be   
your own case  shortly8 ,oh the         
unhappiness of man2 how is he bewitched2
 and befooled1  that he should expend   

himself for that which he knows shall   
forever  leave him6 ,brethren1 ,i       
beseech you lay no stress upon these    
perishing  things1 but labour to be at a
 holy indifference about them3 is it for
  one that is in his wits to sell his   
,god1 his soul1 for things he is  not   
sure to keep a day1 and which he is sure
 after a few sleepings and  wakings     
more1 to leave behind him for ever8 ,go1
 and talk with dying men1  and see what 
apprehensions they have of the world8   
,if any should come  to these1 and tell 
them here is such and such preferments  
for you2 you  shall have such titles of 
honour and delights1 if you will now    
disown  religion1 do you think such a   
motion would be embraced8 ,brethren1 why
  should we not be wise in time6 ,why   
should we not now be of the mind1  of   
which we know we shall be all shortly8  
,woe to them that will not  be wise1    
till it be to no purpose6 ,woe to them  
whose eyes nothing but  death and       
judgment will open6 ,woe to them that   

though they have been  warned by others1
 and have heard the world's greatest    
darlings in  death cry out of its       
vanity1 yet would take no warning2 but  
must serve  themselves too1 for warnings
 to others4 ,ah6 my beloved1 beware     
there be  none among you1 that will     
rather part with their consciences than 
with  their estates2 that have secret   
reserves to save themselves whole1 when 
it comes to the pinch2 and not to be of 
the religion that will undo  them in the
 world4 ,beware that none of you have   
your hearts where your  feet should be1 
and love your mammon before your ,maker4
    ,may the ,lord of ,hosts be with    
you1 and the ,god of ,jacob your refuge4
  ,farewell my dear brethren1 farewell1 
and be strong in the ,lord4 ,i am       
,your's to serve you in the gospel1     
whether by doing or suffering           
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
gaol at ,ivelchester1        ,august    
#ca1 #affc4                             
,,letter ,,vi4                 ,to the  

beloved friends1 the flock of ,christ   
in ,taunton1 salvation4      ,most      
dearly beloved and longed for1 my joy   
and crown3    ,i ,,must say of you as   
,david did of ,jonathan1 ,very pleasant 
have you  been unto me1 and your love to
 me is wonderful4 ,and as ,i have       
formerly  taken great content in that my
 lot was cast among you1 so ,i rejoice  
in  my present lot1 that ,i am called to
 approve my love to you by suffering    
for you2 for you1 ,i say2 for you know  
,i have not sought your's but you2  and 
that for doing my duty to your souls1 ,i
 am here in these bonds1  which ,i      
chearfully accept through the grace of  
,god that strengtheneth  me3 ,oh6 that  
your hands might be strengthened1 and   
your hearts  encouraged in the ,lord    
your ,god by our sufferings6 ,see to it1
 that you  stand fast in the power of   
the holy doctrine1 which we have        
preached  from the pulpit1 preached at  
the bar2 preached from the prison3 it is
 a  gospel worth suffering for3 see that

 you follow after holiness1 without     
which no man shall see ,god6 ,oh the    
madness of the blind world1 that  they  
should put from them the only plank upon
 which they can escape to  heaven6 ,alas
 for them6 ,they know not what they do4 
,what would not these  foolish virgins  
do1 when it is too late1 for a little of
 the oil of the  wise6 ,but let not any 
of you be wise too late3 look           
diligently1 lest  any man fail of the   
grace of ,god4 ,beware that none of you 
be cheated  through the deceitfulness of
 your hearts1 with counterfeit grace4   
,there  is never a grace but hath its   
counterfeit2 and there is nothing more  
common1 than to mistake counterfeit     
grace for true4 ,and remember you  are  
undone for ever1 if you should die in   
such a mistake4 ,not that  ,i would     
shake the confidence of any sound       
believer1 whose graces are  of the right
 kind3 build your confidence sure3 see  
that you get the  certain marks of      
salvation1 and make sure1 by observing  

your own hearts1  that these marks be in
 you1 and then you cannot be too        
confident4 ,but  as you love your souls1
 take heed of a groundless confidence4  
,take heed  of being confident before   
you have tried4 ,i would fain have you  
all  secured against the day of         
judgment2 ,i would that the state of    
your  souls were all well settled3 ,oh  
how comfortably might you think of any  
troubles1 if you were but sure of your  
pardons6 ,i beseech you1 whatever  you  
neglect1 look to this3 ,i am afraid     
there are among you that have  not made 
your peace with ,god2 that are not yet  
acquainted with that  great work of     
conversion3 such ,i charge before the   
living ,god1 to speed  to ,christ1 and  
without any more delay to put away their
 iniquities1  and deliver up themselves 
to ,jesus ,christ1 that they may be     
saved4 ,it  is not your profession or   
external duties1 that will save you3 no1
 no1  you must be converted or          
condemned4 ,it is not enough that you   

have some  love to ,god's ways and      
people1 and are willing to venture      
something for  them2 all this will not  
prove you sound ,christians3 ,have your 
hearts  been changed8 ,have you been    
soundly convinced of your sins8 ,of your
  damnable and undone condition8 ,and   
your utter inability to lick  yourselves
 whole by your own duties8 ,have you    
been brought to such a  sense of sin1   
that there is no sin1 but you heartily  
abhor it8 ,are you  brought to such a   
sense of the beauty of holiness1 and of 
the laws and  ways of ,god1 that you    
desire to know the whole mind of ,god8  
,would you  not excuse yourselves by    
ignorance from any duty1 and do not you 
allow  yourselves in the neglect of any 
thing conscience charges upon you as  a 
duty8 ,are your very hearts set upon the
 glorifying and enjoying of  ,god1 as   
your greatest happiness8 99,had you     
rather be the holiest than  be the      
richest and greatest in the world8 ,and 
is your greatest delight  in the        

thoughts of your ,god1 and in your      
conversings with ,god in holy           
exercises6 ,is ,christ more precious    
than all the world to you8 ,and  are you
 willing upon the thorough consideration
 of the strictness and  holiness of his 
laws1 to take them all for the rule of  
your thoughts1  words and actions1 and  
though religion may be dear1 do you     
resolve1 if  ,god assist you1 to go     
through with it1 let the cost be what it
 will8  ,happy the man that is in such a
 case4 ,this is a ,christian indeed1 and
  whatever you be and do short of this1 
all is unsound4 ,but you that bear  in  
your souls the marks above-mentioned1   
upon you ,i lay no other burden1  but to
 hold fast1 and make good your ground1  
and to press forwards  towards the mark4
 ,thankfully acknowledge the grace of   
,god to your souls2  and live           
rejoicingly in the hopes of the glory of
 ,god2 live daily in  the praises of    
your ,redeemer2 and study the           
worthiness1 excellency1  and glory of   

his attributes3 let your souls be much  
taken up in  contemplating his glorious 
perfection1 and blessing yourselves in  
the  goodly portion you have in him3    
live like those that have a ,god1 and   
then be disconsolate if you can3 if     
there be not more in an infinite  ,god  
to comfort you1 than in a prison1 or    
poverty or affliction to  deject you1   
our preaching is vain and your faith is 
vain4 ,let the  thoughts of ,god be your
 daily repast3 and never be satisfied   
till your  hearts run out as freely1    
naturally1 unweariedly after ,god1 as   
others  do after the world4 ,farewell my
 dear brethren1 the ,lord ,god ,almighty
 be  a protection to you1 and your      
exceeding great reward2 ,farewell in the
  ,lord4                                
,i am1                 ,your's in the   
bowels of the ,lord ,jesus1             
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
gaol1 in ,ivelchester1        ,september
 #aa1 #affc4                            
,,letter ,,vii4            ,how to shew 

love to ministers1 and to live joyfully4
           ,to the most loving and      
dearly beloved1 my ,christian friends   
in ,taunton1 grace1 mercy1 and peace    
from ,god our ,father1                  
and from the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4      
,most endeared brethren1    ,i ,,have   
received your moving letter1 and could  
not look over such  tender expressions  
without some commotion4 ,i may          
confidently say1 ,i  spent more tears   
upon those lines1 than ever you did ink4
 ,your deep  sense of my labours ,i     
cannot but thankfully acknowledge1 yet  
withal1  heartily confessing1 that all  
was but what ,i owed to your immortal   
souls2 which ,god knows was very much   
short of my duty4 ,the omissions1       
imperfections1 deadness1 that           
accompanied my duties ,i own1 and the   
,lord  humble me for them4 ,but all that
 was of ,god 7and that was all that was 
good7 be sure that you give to ,god     
alone4 ,to him ,i humbly ascribe both   
the will and the deed1 to whom alone be 

glory for ever4    99,my dear brethren1 
my business as ,i have often told you1  
is not to turn  your eyes to me1 but to 
,christ3 his spokesman ,i am1 will you  
give your  hands1 your names to him8    
,will you subscribe to his laws1 and    
consent  to his offices1 and be at      
defiance with all his enemies8 ,this do1
 and  ,i have my errand4 ,who will      
follow ,christ's colours8 ,who will come
 under  his banner8 ,this shall be the  
man that shall be my friend2 this is he 
that will oblige me for ever4 ,do these 
letters come to no loose sinner8  ,no   
ignorant sinner8 ,no unsound professor8 
,would they do me a kindness1  as ,i    
believe they would8 ,then let them come 
away to ,christ6 ,o sinner1  be no more 
in love with darkness2 stick no longer  
in the skirts and  outside of religion4 
,waver no more1 halt no farther1 but    
strike in  throughly with ,jesus        
,christ2 except nothing1 reserve        
nothing1 but come  throughly to the     
,lord1 and follow him fully4 ,and then  

happy man thou  shalt be1 for thou wilt 
be made for ever2 and joyful man ,i     
shall be2  for ,i shall save a soul from
 death4 ,the earnest beggings of a poor 
prisoner1 use to move some bowels3 hear 
,o friends1 will you do nothing  for a  
minister of ,christ8 ,nothing for a     
prisoner of ,jesus ,christ8  ,methinks  
,i hear you answer1 8,yea1 what will we 
not do8 ,he shall never  want while we  
have it2 he shall need no office of     
love1 but we will  run and ride to do   
it40 ,yea1 but this is not it that ,i   
beg of you2 will  you gratify me indeed8
 ,then come in1 bow to the name of      
,jesus2 yea1 let  your souls bow1 let   
all your powers do him homage4 ,let that
 sacred name  be graven into the        
substance of your hearts4 ,let me freely
 speak for  him1 for he is worthy for   
whom you shall do this thing2 worthy to 
be  beloved of you2 worthy to have your 
very hearts1 worthy to be admired1      
adored1 praised1 served1 glorified to   
the uttermost by you1 and every         

creature2 worthy for whom you should lay
 down all1 leave all3 can any  thing be 
too much for him8 ,can any thing be too 
good for him1 or too  great for him8    
,come give up all1 resign all1 lay it at
 the feet of  ,jesus1 offer all as a    
sacrifice to him1 see that you be       
universally  the ,lord's2 keep nothing  
from him3 ,i know through the goodness  
of  ,god1 that with many of you this    
work is not yet to do4 ,but this set    
solemn resignation to the ,lord is to be
 done more than once1 and to  be        
followed with an answerable practice    
when it is done3 see that you  walk     
worthy of the ,lord2 but how8 ,in the   
fear of the ,lord1 and in  the comfort  
of the ,holy ,ghost2 let these two go   
together4 ,so shall  you adorn the      
doctrine of ,god our ,saviour1 and      
experience the heavenly  felicity of a  
,christian life3 cleave fast to ,christ1
 never let go  your hold2 cling the     
faster1 because so many are labouring to
 loosen  your hold4 ,hold fast your     

integrity1 hold fast the beginning of   
your  confidence stedfast to the end3   
,if you do but keep your hold1 and  keep
 your way2 all that the world can do1   
and all that the powers of  darkness can
 do1 can never do you harm4 ,keep your  
own vineyard with  constant care and    
watchfulness1 and be sure that there be 
no inroad  made upon your consciences1  
that the enemy do not get between your  
souls and ,god2 and then let what will  
assail you without1 you need  not fear6 
,let this be your daily exercise1 to    
keep your consciences  void of offence3 
keep fair weather at home1 however it be
 abroad4 ,i  would not only that you    
should walk holily1 but that you should 
walk  comfortably4 ,i need say the less 
to this1 because the fear of the  ,lord 
and the comfort of the ,holy ,ghost1 lie
 together4 ,oh the provision  ,god hath 
made for your continual comfort3 dear   
brethren1 do but  understand your own   
blessedness1 happy men that you are1 if 
you did but  know and consider it3 who  

would count himself poor that hath all  
the  fullness of the ,godhead for his4  
,o ,christians1 live like yourselves1   
live worthy of your portion1 and your   
glorious prerogatives4 ,that you  may   
walk worthy of your glorious hopes1 and 
live answerable to the  mercies you have
 received1 is the great desire of       
,your souls fervent well-wisher in      
bonds4                                  
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the prison 
at ,ivelchester1      ,september #ah1   
#affc4                                  
,,letter ,,viii4                        
,remember ,christ crucified2 and crucify
 sin4                     ,to the       
faithful and well-beloved people1       
the servants of ,christ in ,taunton1    
salvation4    ,most dear ,christians1   
,i ,,am by office a remembrancer1 the   
,lord's remembrancer for you1 and  your 
remembrancer in the behalf of ,christ4  
,my business is with the  apostle1 to   
stir up your pure minds by way of       
remembrance4 ,and who  shall ,i remember

 you of1 but your intercessor with the  
,father1 who  hath you always in        
remembrance1 appearing in the presence  
of ,god  for you8 ,may his memory ever  
live in your hearts1 though mine should 
die2 ,oh1 remember his love more than   
mine2 remember in what a case he  found 
you1 and yet nothing could divert the   
purpose of his love from  you3 ,he      
loathed not your rags nor your          
rottenness3 he found you in  loathsome  
filthiness1 yet he pitied you4 ,his     
bowels were moved1 and his  compassions 
were kindled1 when one would have       
thought his wrath should  have boiled   
and his indignation have burned down to 
hell against you3  he loathed not1 but  
loved you1 and washed you from your sins
 in his own  blood4 ,ah polluted        
captives6 ,ah vile and putrid carcases6 
that ever the  ,holy ,jesus should his  
ownself wash you4 ,methinks ,i see him  
weeping over  you2 and yet it was a more
 costly bath by which he cleansed you4  
,ah  sinners look upon the streaming    

blood flowing from his blessed body1  to
 fetch out the ingrained filthiness that
 you by sin had contracted4  ,alas6     
,what a horrid filthiness1 that nothing 
but the blood of the  covenant could    
wash away6 ,and what a love is          
,christ's1 that1 when a  whole ocean    
could not wash nor purify us1 would open
 every vein of his  heart to do the     
work6 ,look upon your crucified ,lord3  
do you not see  a sacred stream flowing 
out of every member8 ,ah1 how those holy
 hands1  those unerring feet do run a   
stream to purge us6 ,alas1 how the great
  drops of blood fall to the ground from
 his sacred face in his bitter  agony1  
to wash and beautify ours6 ,how his     
wounded heart and side  twice pierced1  
first with love and pity1 and then with 
the soldier's  cruelty1 pour out their  
healthful and saving floods upon us8    
,lord6  ,how do we forget such love as  
this8 ,ah monsters of ingratitude1 that 
can be unmindful of such a friend6 ,do  
we thus requite him8 ,is this  our      

kindness to such an obliging friend6    
,christians1 where are your  affections8
 ,to what use do you put your faculties8
 ,what have you  memories for1 but to   
remember him8 ,what have you the power  
of loving  for1 but that you should love
 him8 ,wherefore serves joy or desire1  
but  to long for him8 ,and delightfully 
embrace him8 ,may your souls and all    
their powers be taken up with him2 may  
all the doors of your souls be  set open
 to him4 ,here fix your thoughts1       
terminate here your desires2  here you  
may kindle your fire when almost out4   
,brethren what will you  do now for     
,jesus ,christ8 ,have you never a       
sacrifice to lay upon his  altar8 ,come 
and ,i will shew you what you shall do1 
let your hands be  in the blood of your 
sins1 search them out with diligence1   
search your  hearts and your houses2    
whatever iniquities you find there1 out 
with  them1 put them far from your      
tabernacles2 if you crucify them not1   
you are not ,jesus's friends4 99,god    

forbid that there should be a lying     
tongue1 or any way of deceit in your    
shops3 that his service should  give    
place to the world in your families4    
,far be it from any of you1  my         
brethren1 that you should be careful to 
teach your children and  servants the   
way of your callings1 and neglect to    
instruct them in  the way of life4 ,is  
weekly catechising in every one of your 
families8  ,the ,lord convince any of   
you that may be guilty of this neglect3 
,oh1  set up ,god in your houses2 and   
see that you be not slovenly in closet  
performances4 ,beware of serving the    
,lord negligently2 serve not the  ,lord 
with that which costs you nothing3 look 
to it that you content not  yourselves  
with a cheap and easy religion4 ,put    
your flesh to it3 be  well assured that 
the religion that costs you nothing1    
will yield you  nothing3 ,keep up the   
life of religion in your family and     
closet duties4  ,fear nothing like a    
customary and careless performance of   

,god's service4  ,judge your ownselves  
whether lazy wishes1 idle complaints1   
and yawning  prayers are like to carry  
you through the mighty difficulties that
 you  must get through1 if ever you come
 to heaven4 ,when you find yourselves   
going on in a listless1 heartless       
course1 ask yourselves1 is this  to take
 the kingdom of heaven by violence8 ,see
 that you sacrifice  yourselves to the  
,lord1 that now you live to ,christ     
himself4 ,as ,christ  hath made over his
 life and death to you1 so let it be    
your care  to live and die to him4      
,labour to look upon all your enjoyments
 as  ,christ's goods2 upon your time1   
parts1 strength1 as his talents3 look   
upon yourselves only in the quality of  
servants and stewards1 that are  to     
husband all these for your ,lord's      
advantage1 and as those that must  give 
an account4 ,and pray for me that ,i may
 take the counsel that ,i  give4 ,i     
bless the ,lord1 ,i want nothing but the
 opportunity of being  serviceable to   

you3 but ,i hope the ,lord will make my 
bonds for you1  to be useful to your    
edification2 if ,i may glorify ,god1 and
 serve you  best by being here1 ,i shall
 never wish to come out4 ,finally       
brethren1  farewell3 be perfect1 be of  
good comfort1 be of one mind1 live in   
peace1  and the ,god of love and peace  
shall be with you4 ,i am1               
,the ready servant of your faith and    
joy1                                    
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the prison 
at ,ivelchester1      ,october #adth1   
#affc4                                  
,,letter ,,ix4                          
,on daily self-examination4             
,to the most beloved people1 the flock  
of ,christ                         in   
,taunton1 salvation4    ,most dear      
brethren1    ,,brethren how stands it   
with you8 ,doth the main work go on8 do 
your  souls prosper8 ,this is my care2  
beware that you flag not1 that you      
faint not now in the evil day4 ,i       
understand that your dangers grow  upon 

you4 ,may your faith and courage grow   
much more abundantly6    ,some of your  
enemies1 ,i hear1 are in great hopes to 
satisfy their  desires upon you4 ,well1 
be not discouraged my dear brethren1 but
 bless  the ,lord1 who of his abundant  
mercy1 hath so remarkably preserved  you
 so long beyond all expectation4 ,let it
 not be a strange thing to  you1 if the 
,lord doth now call you to some         
difficulty3 forsake not  the assembling 
of yourselves together1 as the manner of
 some is4 ,i  plainly see the coal of   
religion will soon go out1 unless it    
have  some better helps to cherish it1  
than a carnal ministry1 and lifeless    
administration4 ,dear brethren1 now is  
the time for you that fear the  ,lord1  
to speak often one to another3 manage   
your duties with what  prudence you can1
 but away with that carnal prudence1    
that will decline  duty to avoid danger4
    99,i left you some helps for daily  
examination1 ,i am jealous lest you     
should grow slack1 or slight1 and       

careless in that duty4 ,let me ask you  
in the name of the ,lord1 doth never a  
day pass you1 but you solemnly  and     
seriously call yourselves to an account1
 what your carriage hath  been to ,god  
and men8 ,speak conscience8 ,is there   
never an one within the  hearing of this
 letter1 that is a neglecter of this    
duty8 ,doth every  one of your          
consciences acquit you8 ,oh that they   
did6 ,tell me1 would  not some of you be
 put shrewdly to it1 if ,i should ask   
you when you  read1 or thought over the 
questions that were given you for your  
help8  ,would you not be put to a blush1
 to give me an answer8 ,and will you not
  be much more ashamed1 that ,god should
 find you tardy8 ,not that ,i would     
necessarily bind you up to that very    
method2 only till you have found a  way 
more profitable1 ,i would desire you1   
yea1 ,i cannot but charge you1  to make 
daily use of that4 ,awake conscience1   
and do thou fall upon that  soul that   
thou findest careless in this work1 and 

never let him be at  rest till thou     
canst witness for him1 that he is a     
daily and strict  observer of himself1  
and doth live in the constant practice  
of this  duty4 ,what6 ,shall neither    
,god's charge nor your profit hold you  
to  your work8 ,yet ,i may not doubt1   
but some of you do daily perform this   
duty4 ,the ,lord encourage you in it3   
yet give me leave to ask you what  you  
have gained8 ,are you grown more        
universally conscientious1 more  strict1
 more humble1 and more sensible of your 
many and great defects1  than you were  
before8 ,if so blessed are you of the   
,lord2 if otherwise1  this duty hath    
been but slightly performed by you4     
,what can you say  to this question8    
,doth your care of your ways abate or   
increase1 by the  constant use of this  
duty8 ,if it abate1 remember from whence
 you are  fallen1 and repent2 as good   
not to do it at all1 as not to the      
purpose4    ,the ,lord ,god be a sun and
 a shield to you4 ,my most dear love to 

you all2  fare you well in the ,lord4 ,i
 am1                          ,your     
embassador in bonds1                    
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
gaol at ,ivelchester1      ,october #bj1
 #affc4                                 
,,letter ,x4                            
,motives and marks of growth4           
,to the most loving and best beloved1   
the servants                 of ,christ 
in ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
dear and tender friends3    ,,whose ,i  
am1 and whom under ,god ,i desire to    
serve2 to build you up in  holiness1 and
 comfort1 hath been through grace my    
great ambition4 ,this  is that which ,i 
laboured for2 this is that which ,i     
suffer for3 and  in short1 the end of   
all my applications to you1 and to ,god 
for you4  ,how do your souls prosper8   
,are they in a thriving case8 ,what     
progress  do you make in sanctification8
 ,doth the house of ,saul grow weaker   
and weaker1 and the house of ,david     
stronger and stronger8 ,behold1  ,i am  

jealous of you with a godly jealousy1   
lest any of you should lose  ground in  
these declining times3 and therefore    
cannot but be often  calling upon you to
 look to your standing1 and to watch and
 hold fast1  that no man take your      
crown4 ,ah6 ,how surely shall you reap  
in the end1  if you faint not6 ,take    
heed therefore that you lose not the    
things you  have wrought1 but as you    
have begun well1 so go on in the        
strength of  ,christ1 and give diligence
 to the full assurance of hope to the   
end4    ,do you need motives8 #a4 ,how  
much are you behind hand8 ,oh the fair  
advantages that we have lost6 ,what     
time1 what sabbaths1 sermons1           
sacraments1 are upon the matter lost8   
,how much work have we yet to do8  ,are 
you sure of heaven yet8 ,are you fit to 
die yet8 ,surely they that  are under so
 many great wants1 had need to set upon 
some more thriving  courses4            
,secondly1 ,consider what others have   
gained1 whilst we it may be sit  down by

 the loss3 ,have we not met many vessels
 richly laden1 while  our souls are     
empty8 ,oh1 the golden prizes that some 
have won8 ,while  we have folded the    
hands to sleep6 ,have not many of our   
own standing  in religion1 left us far  
behind them8    99,thirdly1 ,consider   
you will all find little enough when you
 come to  die3 ,the wise among the      
virgins have no oil to spare1 at the    
coming  of the bridegroom2 temptation   
and death will put all your graces to   
it4  ,how much ado have many had at last
 to put into this harbour6 ,david  cries
 for respite1 till he had recovered a   
little more strength4    ,fourthly1     
,consider how short your time for       
gathering in probably is8  ,the         
,israelites gathered twice so much manna
 against the sabbath as  they did at    
other times1 because at that time there 
was no manna fell4  ,brethren1 you know 
not how long you have to lay in for4 ,do
 you ask for  marks how you may know    
your souls to be in a thriving case8    

,first1 ,if your appetites be more      
strong4 ,do you thirst after ,god and   
after grace1 more than heretofore8 ,do  
your cares for and desires after  the   
world abate8 ,and do you hunger and     
thirst after righteousness8  ,whereas   
you were wont to come with an ill-will  
to holy duties1 do you  come to them as 
an hungry stomach to its meat8          
,secondly1 ,if your pulses beat more    
even4 ,are you still off and on1  hot   
and cold8 ,or is there a more even spun 
thread of holiness through  your whole  
course8 ,do you make good the ground    
from which you were  formerly beaten    
off8    99,thirdly1 ,if you do look more
 to the carrying on together the duties 
of both tables4 ,do you not only look to
 the keeping of your own  vineyards1 but
 do you lay out yourselves for the good 
of others1 and  are filled with zealous 
desires for their conversion and        
salvation8 ,do  you manage your talk and
 your trade1 by the rules of religion8  
99,do you eat and sleep by rule8 ,doth  

religion form and mould1 and  direct    
your carriage towards husband1 wife1    
parents1 children1 masters1  servants8  
,do you grow more universally           
conscientious8 ,is piety more  diffusive
 than ever with you8 ,doth it come more 
abroad with you1 out  of your closets1  
into your houses1 your shops1 your      
fields8 ,doth it  journey with you1 and 
buy and sell for you8 ,hath it the      
casting voice  in all you do8           
,fourthly1 ,if the duties of religion be
 more delightful to you4 ,do  you take  
more delight in the word than ever6 ,are
 you more in love with  secret prayer1  
and more abundant in it8 ,cannot you be 
content with your  ordinary seasons1 but
 are ever and anon making extraordinary 
visits to  heaven8 ,and upon all        
occasions turning aside1 to talk with   
,god in some  short ejaculations8 ,are  
you often darting up your soul          
heavenwards8 ,is  it meat and drink for 
you1 to do the will of ,god8 ,do you    
come off more  freely with ,god1 and    

answer his calls with more readiness of 
mind8    99,fifthly1 ,if you are more   
abundant in those duties which are most 
displeasing to the flesh4 ,are you more 
earnest in mortification8  ,are you more
 strict and severe than ever in the duty
 of daily  self-examination1 and holy   
meditation8 ,do you hold the reins      
harder  upon the flesh than ever8 ,do   
you keep a stricter watch upon your     
appetites8 ,do you set a stronger guard 
upon your tongues8 ,have you  a more    
jealous eye upon your hearts8           
,sixthly1 ,if you grow more vile in your
 own eyes4 ,do you grow more  out of    
love with men's esteem1 set less by it8 
,are you not marvellous  tender of being
 slighted8 ,can you rejoice to see      
others preferred  before you8 ,can you  
heartily value and love them that think 
meanly of  you8    ,seventhly1 ,if you  
grow more quick of sense1 more sensible 
of  divine influences1 or withdrawings4 
,are you more afraid of sin than  ever8 
,are your sins a greater pain to you    

than heretofore8 ,are your  very        
infirmities your great afflictions8 and 
the daily workings of  corruption a     
continual grief of mind to you8    ,i   
must conclude abruptly1 commending you  
to ,god1 and can only tell you  that ,i 
am1                          ,your's in 
the ,lord ,jesus1                       
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
gaol1 in ,ivelchester1      ,october    
#ca1 #affc4                             
,,letter ,,xi4               ,to my     
dearly beloved1 the inhabitants of      
,taunton1             grace1 mercy1 and 
peace from ,god our ,father1 and        
the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4    ,most      
dearly beloved1    ,i ,,have been       
through mercy many years with you1 and  
should be willingly  so many years a    
prisoner for you1 so ,i might further   
your salvation4 ,i  must again and again
 thank you for your abundant affection  
to me1 which  ,i value as a great mercy1
 not in order to myself1 but in order to
 your  benefit1 that ,i may thereby be a

 more likely instrument of your good4   
,surely1 so much as ,i value your love1 
yet had ,i rather be forsaken of  you   
all1 and buried in oblivion2 so that    
your eyes and hearts may be  fixed on   
,christ1 and sincerely engaged to him4  
,brethren1 ,i have not  bespoken your   
affections for myself3 ,o that ,i might 
win your hearts  to ,christ4 ,o that ,i 
might convert you to him though you were
 diverted  from me4 99,i should much    
rather chuse to be hated of all1 so this
 might  be the means to have ,christ set
 up savingly in the hearts of you all4  
,and indeed there is nothing great but  
in order to ,god2 nothing is            
considerable as it is terminated in us3 
it matters not whether we  are in riches
 or poverty1 sickness or health1 in     
honour or disgrace1  so ,christ may be  
by us magnified in the condition we are 
in4 ,welcome  prison and poverty1       
welcome scorn and envy1 welcome pain or 
contempt1  if by these ,god's glory may 
be promoted4 ,what are we for1 but for  

,god8  ,what doth the creature signify  
separated from his ,god8 ,why just so   
much  as the cypher separated from his  
figure4 ,we are nothing worth1 but in   
reference to ,god and his ends4 ,better 
were it that we had never been1  than   
that we should not be to him4 ,better   
that we were dead than we  should live1 
and not to him4 ,better that we had no  
understandings1 than  that we should not
 know him4 ,better that we were blocks  
and brutes1  than that we should not use
 our reason for him4 ,what are our      
interests1  unless they may be          
subservient to his interest8 ,or our    
reputation1  unless we may hereby       
glorify him8    ,do you love me8 ,i know
 you do4 ,but who is there1 that will   
leave his  sins for me8 ,with whom shall
 ,i prevail to give up himself in       
strictness  and self denial to the      
,lord8 ,who will be intreated by me to  
set upon  neglected duties1 or reform   
accustomed sins8 ,oh wherein may you    
rejoice  me8 ,in this1 my brethren2 in  

this you shall befriend me1 if you obey 
the voice of ,god by me1 if you be      
prevailed with to give yourselves  up   
throughly to the ,lord4 ,would you      
lighten my burden8 ,would you make  glad
 my heart8 ,let me hear of your owning  
the ways and servants of the  ,lord in  
adversity1 of your patient continuing in
 the ways of holiness4  ,o that ,i could
 but hear that the prayerless souls1 the
 prayerless  families among you1 were   
now given to prayer6 ,that the profane  
sinners  were awakened1 and induced by  
the preaching of these bonds1 to leave  
their drunkenness1 their loose company1 
their deceit and wantonness6  ,will you 
not be made clean8 ,when shall it once  
be8 ,how long shall the  patience of    
,god wait for you8 ,how long shall the  
,lord ,jesus stretch  out his hands     
toward you8 ,o sinners1 cast yourselves 
into his arms6 ,why  should you die8    
,why will you forsake your own mercy8   
,will you perish  when mercy woos you8  
,confess and forsake your sins1 and you 

shall find  mercy4 ,will you sell your  
souls to perdition for a little ease and
  delight in your flesh8 ,or a little of
 the gain of unrighteousness8 ,why1     
these are the things that part between  
sinners and ,christ4    99,i know many  
are spun with a finer thread1 and are   
not so far from the  kingdom of ,god4   
,but ,i must again warn you of staying  
in the suburbs  of the city of refuge4  
,o what pity is it that any should      
perish at  the gates6 ,that any should  
escape the pollutions of the world1 and 
do  many things1 yea1 and suffer too1   
and yet fall short of the glory of      
,god6 ,oh ye halting ,christians1 that  
halt between ,christ and the world1     
that are as ,ephraim1 like a cake not   
turned1 dough-bak'd1 professors1  that  
have lamps without oil1 that cry1 ,lord1
 ,lord1 but do not the will  of our     
,father which is in heaven6 ,how long   
will you stay in the place  of the      
breaking forth of children6 and stick   
between the womb and  the world8 ,your  

religion will carry you from the        
profane1 and ye own  the people of the  
,lord4 ,but godliness is a heart-work1  
it goes deep1  and spreads far3 unless  
the frame of your hearts1 and the drift 
of  your course be changed1 unless you  
be universally conscientious1 and       
unreservedly delivered up to the ,lord  
for all times and conditions1  whatever 
be the cost1 you are none of ,christ's1 
how far soever you go  in external      
performances4 ,hear then1 ,o people1 and
 let not an almost  ,christianity       
deceive you1 or carry you blindfold to  
perdition4 ,oh the  thousands1 and ten  
thousands that have been undone by one  
of these6  ,ah1 how often have you been 
warned against them1 lest you should    
split  against these dangerous rocks4 ,o
 ,taunton1 ,taunton1 how often would    
,god's servants have gathered you1 and  
you would not4 ,but will you now8  ,will
 you yet come in8 ,i cannot forbear once
 more1 even out of the  prison1 to call 
after poor sinners1 and make one tender 

of mercy more4  ,o come to the waters of
 life1 wash you1 make you clean4    ,but
 for you1 whose hearts are set against  
every sin1 and are resolved  for ,god   
and holiness2 you that experience a     
thorough change1 and have  respect to   
all ,god's commandments1 who will have  
none but ,god for your  happiness1 none 
but ,christ for your treasure1 that must
 and will have  him1 come what will     
come1 blessed are ye of the ,lord3 ,o   
happy souls  rejoice in the ,lord1 and  
again1 ,i say1 rejoice3 let your souls  
magnify  the ,lord1 and your spirits    
rejoice in ,god your ,saviour4 ,live you
 a life  of praise2 you are highly      
favoured of the ,lord1 your lines are   
fallen  in a pleasant place3 only stick 
to your choice3 beware lest any man     
beguile you of your reward3 watch and   
keep your garments about you1  lest you 
walk naked1 and men see your shame4     
,many will be plucking to  pull you out 
of ,christ's hands2 but the harder they 
pluck1 the harder  do you cling1 and    

cleave to him3 blessed is he that       
overcometh4    ,and now the ,god of     
heaven fill you all with himself1 and   
make all grace  to abound in you1 and   
toward you4 ,may he be a sun to comfort 
you1 and  shine with his beams of grace 
and glory on you all3 farewell in the   
,lord1 ,i am1                           
,your's in the bonds of the gospel1     
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xii4                         
,how to live to ,god4                   
,to the beloved people1 the inhabitants 
of ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
endeared ,christians1    ,,beloved1 ,i  
am1 without a compliment1 the devoted   
servant of your soul's  prosperity3 may 
the ,lord ,jesus be set up in your      
hearts3 may his name  ever live in you1 
and ,i have what ,i ask4 ,if this work  
be not promoted  among you1 ,i shall    
account all my pains but lost labour4   
,brethren1 ,i  beseech you that none of 
you live to yourselves1 for this were   
directly  to cross the end of ,christ's 

death2 for therefore he died that you   
should not live to yourselves4 ,o live  
to him that died for you6 ,live  to him 
that is the ,god of your life6 ,live to 
him that bought your lives  with his    
own6 ,to him that bought you from       
destruction1 and not only so1  but      
bought you the eternal inheritance4     
,will a man be easily persuaded  to lose
 his life8 ,how infinitely tender are   
men here6 ,and yet the  most of men do  
lose their lives1 yea1 lose them for    
nothing4 99,beloved1  consider1 ,i      
beseech you1 that life is lost1 that is 
not lived unto  ,god4 ,if you would not 
lose your lives that you live1 live to  
him who  is the end of your lives4 ,oh  
remember this1 and reckon that day lost 
which you have not lived unto ,god6     
,brethren1 how great a part of our      
lives have we lost8 ,i beseech you take 
heed2 you are careful about many        
things2 but beware that other things do 
not put out this1 the spending  your    
days and strength for him that made you4

 ,would it not be dreadful  for a man to
 find at last when he comes to his      
account with ,god1  that his whole life1
 or at least the main of it had been but
 damnable  self-seeking8 ,that a man    
should have so many years allowed him by
 ,god1  and he should at last be found  
to have been a wicked servant1 that had 
set up for himself with his master's    
stock1 and alienated his goods8  ,well1 
that you may throughly learn the grand  
lesson of living to ,god1  take these   
counsels3    99,first1 ,settle it in    
your heart that it is the sum of all    
your  business and blessedness to live  
unto ,god3 'tis your business1  for his 
pleasure you are and were created3 what 
have you to do but to  serve your ,maker
 in your general and particular         
callings6 ,beloved1 what  else have you 
strength for1 but for ,god8 ,doth he    
maintain servants1  and shall he not    
look for their work8 ,would you endure  
it1 that the  servants you find with    
meat and wages should set up for        

themselves8  ,beloved1 ,god's service is
 your business1 and he made you and     
keeps you  for no other end4 ,and it is 
your blessedness too4 ,labour to be     
under  the rooted conviction of this1   
that your happiness lies in pleasing and
  honouring ,god4 ,let the sense of this
 live fresh upon your hearts1 and  it   
will regulate your whole course4        
,secondly1 ,labour to keep alive in     
yourselves a deep sense of your  strong 
obligations to ,god4 ,often think with  
yourselves1 what a  reasonable thing it 
is1 that you should with all you have   
serve the  ,lord4 ,beloved1 shall not   
the vessel be for the use of the potter 
that  made it8 ,shall not the servant   
trade for his master with whose goods he
  is entrusted8 ,do you not fetch all   
your bread from ,god's door8 ,is not  he
 the author of our being and well-being8
 ,is it not from him that you  fetch    
every breath8 ,your interest obliges you
 to please him4 ,why should             
,belshazzer's charge be against you8    

,that the ,god in whose hand your       
breath is1 and whose are all your ways1 
you have not glorified1 ,daniel  v4 #bc4
    ,thirdly1 ,every morning let this be
 your first and firm resolution1  ,i    
will set forth this day in the name of  
,god4 ,your first and last  thoughts are
 of the greatest consequence1 and       
therefore ,i advise you  to begin and   
end with this2 whenever you lie down1   
say in yourselves1 ,i  will make use of 
my bed as an ordinance of ,god1 that ,i 
may be refreshed  and fitted for his    
work3 whenever you rise up1 think1 ,i   
will spend this  day for ,god1 and      
follow the business of my calling1      
because ,i am so  appointed by ,god4    
,beloved1 ,i design the sweetness and   
comfort1 as well as strictness of  your 
lives4 ,live to ,god as you are         
directed1 and you shall marvellously    
prosper in both4 ,i am not sure yet     
whether or no ,i shall see you at  the  
assizes4 ,i leave all things to your    
,father's wise disposal1 and  commending

 you to ,god1 ,i rest                   
,your's in the bonds of the ,lord       
,jesus1                                 
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the prison 
at ,ivelchester1      ,november #ad1    
#affc4                                  
,,letter ,,xiii4                     ,to
 the beloved people1 the flock of ,god  
in ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
dear friends and brethren1    ,i ,,have 
sent these few lines1 to beseech you by 
these bonds1 which  ,i gladly endure for
 your sakes1 to hold forth1 and hold    
fast the  profession of your faith      
without wavering4 ,the ,lord make you   
stedfast  in the holy doctrine wherein  
you have been taught4 ,i have not       
shunned  to declare unto you the whole  
counsel of ,god4 ,o remember1 that by   
the  space of eight years1 ,i ceased not
 to warn you every one1 and kept back   
nothing that was profitable unto you1   
but have taught you publickly1  and from
 house to house1 warning every man1 and 
teaching every man1  that ,i might      

present every man perfect in ,christ    
,jesus4    ,you that have taken upon you
 the profession of strict godliness1 ,i 
shall only press you to press towards   
the mark4 ,you have much work to  do1   
and ,god hath given you no time to      
loiter in4 ,i beseech you to put  on4   
,that person that sits down when he hath
 gotten to that pitch that  he thinks   
will bring him to heaven1 is never like 
to come thither3  grace is one of those 
things that saith1 ,it never hath       
enough4 ,let  me urge upon you the      
apostle's counsel1 ,follow after        
holiness4    ,first4 ,holiness is the   
choicest ornament3 it is an adorning in 
the  sight of ,god1 of great price4 ,it 
is the glory of ,god1 and will you      
count it your shame8 ,exodus #ae4 ,god  
is glorious in holiness1 and  grace is  
called glory1 #b ,corinthians iii4 #ah4 
,yet we may now cry out  as the         
psalmist1 ,o ye sons of men1 how long   
will ye turn my glory  into shame8      
,psalms iv4 #b4 ,but be of good comfort1

 the shame of  holiness is real glory4  
,chapter omitted from reference in text4
    ,secondly4 ,holiness is the safest  
defence2 grace is not only for          
ornament1 but for use4 ,righteousness is
 a breast-plate that keeps  the vitals1 
and is a sure defence from any mortal   
wounds4 ,when the  politicians have done
 their best1 it is he that walketh      
uprightly1  that walketh surely1        
,proverbs x4 #ai4 ,let integrity and    
uprightness  preserve me1 saith ,david4 
,i desire to be no longer safe than     
these  can preserve me2 when ,i must let
 go my integrity or my safety1 ,i will  
chuse the danger rather than the sin3   
and yet will never doubt but  my        
integrity will save me harmless4        
99,never persuade me that the man       
chooses wisely1 who runs upon the       
displeasure of ,god1 to flee man's      
displeasure4 ,did you ever hear of a man
 so mad as to run upon the  sword's     
point1 to avoid the scratch of a pin8   
,why this is the wisdom  of the         

distracted world1 who will sin rather   
than suffer1 and to save  themselves    
harmless in the world1 will run upon    
,god1 even upon the  thick bosses of his
 buckler4    ,thirdly4 ,holiness will be
 found to be your real happiness3 eat of
  this tree1 and you shall be indeed as 
,god4 ,godliness is ,god's likeness4    
,the beauty of holiness is his very     
image2 sin is the disease of which      
holiness is the cure4 ,o what peace and 
tranquility doth holiness work  in the  
mind6 ,great peace have they that love  
thy commandments1 and  nothing shall    
offend them4 ,in a word1 holiness is the
 perfection of  man's nature1 the       
communication of the divine nature1 the 
earnest of  glory1 and the very entrance
 of heaven4    ,let me say now to every 
one of you1 as our ,saviour to ,martha2 
,believest thou this8 ,if you do1 live  
like believers1 and do you  follow after
 holiness as others follow their trades 
or studies4 ,let  religion be your      
business1 and not a thing by the bye3   

follow as hard  after grace1 as if you  
did indeed believe riches and honor were
 in it4  ,let holiness sit on your lips1
 and season all your speech with grace4 
,profess it1 own it1 plead stoutly for  
it1 be advocates for holiness1  in an   
adulterous and wicked generation2 wear  
it as a robe of honour1  when the world 
cast their reproaches at you for it3 let
 it dwell in  your hearts3 let it adorn 
your houses3 let it be your companion in
 your  closets3 let it travel with you  
in your journies3 let it lie down and   
rise up with you3 let it close your eyes
 in the evening1 and call you  out of   
your beds in the morning4 ,be you the   
votaries of holiness3 keep  her1 and she
 shall keep you4    ,because ,i know you
 love to hear of my welfare1 ,i must    
tell you that  goodness and mercy follow
 me perpetually every day1 and every    
night1  glory to ,god in the highest4   
,dear brethren1 fare you well in the    
,lord1  ,i am                     ,your 
devoted servant in the gospel1          

whether a bond-man1 or a free1          
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
,gaol1 at ,ivelchester1      ,december  
#c1 #affc4                              
,,letter ,,xiv4              ,to the    
flock of ,christ in ,taunton1 grace and 
peace4    ,most endeared friends1    ,i 
,,would have you count nothing as       
certain but ,christ's love and care4    
,this you may build upon3 you need not  
fear lest time and distance  should wear
 out the remembrance of you with him4   
,do any of you question  whether you are
 so happy1 as to have your names        
recorded above8 ,i shall  bring it to a 
speedy issue3 do you question whether   
,christ hath taken  your names8 ,whether
 you are upon his heart8 ,let me ask    
you1 ,is heaven  upon your hearts8 ,is  
the name of ,jesus deeply engraven upon 
your  souls8 ,is his image and          
superscription there8 ,if you find that 
heaven  is the main of your cares1 that 
your hearts are set upon it as your     
home and your country2 and that it is   

your business to seek it and  secure it4
 ,if your hearts be upon heaven1 your   
names are unquestionably  written in    
heaven4 ,again1 hath ,christ recorded   
his name in your hearts8  ,is the name  
of ,jesus1 the beloved name with you8   
,precious above all2  next to your      
hearts8 ,is there no other name under   
heaven so dear and  sweet to you8 ,what 
room hath ,christ in you8 ,if any thing 
be deeper in  your hearts than he is1   
you are unsound4 ,as the ,father hath   
given him1  so do your hearts give him a
 name above every name4 ,is ,christ     
uppermost  with you in your affections8 
,then rejoice and leap for joy1 your    
names  are most precious with ,christ if
 his name be above all dear to you4     
99,once more1 hath ,christ drawn out his
 own similitude upon you8 ,is  ,christ  
within you8 ,doth he dwell in your      
hearts8 ,then be sure you have  a room  
in his heart3 the image of ,christ is in
 holiness4 ,is this that  which your    
very heart is set upon8 ,do you thirst  

for holiness8 ,do you  follow after     
holiness8 ,do you prize it above all    
prosperity and worldly  greatness8 ,do  
you hate every sin1 and long to be rid  
of it as your  most irksome burden1 and 
use all ,god's means against it as far  
as you  know them8 ,if it be thus with  
you1 ,christ hath set his stamp upon    
your  hearts1 and hath set you as a seal
 upon his heart4    ,rejoice then1 ,o   
,christians1 and bless yourselves1 in   
being under  ,christ's care4 ,fear not  
little flock2 stronger is he that is    
with you1  than he that is against you3 
what though ,satan should raise all his 
militia against you8 ,adhere to ,christ1
 doing and suffering his pleasure1  and 
he shall secure you3 the ,lord will not 
forsake you1 because it hath  pleased   
the ,lord to make you his people3 many  
will be plucking at you1  but fear not1 
he hath all power4 ,can omnipotence     
secure you8 ,he is all  treasure4 ,can  
unsearchable riches suffice you8 ,in a  
word1 he is all  fullness4 ,can fullness

 fill you8 ,if so1 you are blessed and  
shall be  blessed4    ,beloved1 ,we lose
 unutterably for want of considering our
 own privileges1  and blessedness4 ,o   
man1 is ,christ thine1 and yet dost thou
 live at  a low rate8 ,is thy name      
written in heaven1 and yet dost thou not
  rejoice8 ,shall the children of the   
kingdom1 the chosen generation1 be  like
 other men8 ,o ,christians1 remember who
 and whence you are1 consider  your     
obligations1 bestir yourselves1 run and 
wrestle1 and be strong  for the ,lord of
 ,hosts1 7and earnestly1 yet peaceably7 
contend for the  faith once delivered to
 his saints4 ,what1 shall we make       
nothing of  all that ,god hath said and 
done for us8 ,o ,christians1 shall he   
that  hath obtained the ,king's patent  
for an earldom1 glory in his riches  and
 honour8 ,and shall the grant of heaven 
signify little with thee8 ,or  ,christ's
 patent for the son-ship and partnership
 with himself be like  a cypher8 ,shall 
,haman come home from the banquet with a

 glad heart1  glorying in the greatness 
of his riches1 and all the things       
wherein  the king had promoted him8 ,and
 shall we find it under ,god's own hand1
  that he intends the kingdom for us1   
that he will be a father to us1  that he
 gives and grants all his infinite      
perfections to us1 and yet  not be      
moved8 99,christians live like          
yourselves1 let the world see that  the 
promises of ,god and privileges of the  
gospel are not empty sounds4  ,let the  
heavenly chearfulness and the restless  
diligence1 and the holy  raisedness of  
your conversation prove the reality1    
excellency1 and  beauty of your         
religion4 ,see that you receive not the 
grace of ,god  in vain4 ,remember with  
trembling1 ,to whom much is given1 of   
him much  shall be required4 ,with my   
most dear loves to you all1 ,i commend  
you  to your ,father and my ,father1    
your ,god and my ,god1 remaining        
,your's in all manner of obligations1   
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 

goal1 in ,ivelchester1      ,january    
#bj1 #affc4                             
,,letter ,,xv4                          
,what do you more than others8          
,to the most dearly beloved1 the        
servants of ,god1                       
in ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
loving and entirely beloved1    ,,you   
are a great joy to me4 ,i know not what 
thanks to render to the  ,lord for you1 
when ,i hear of your constancy and      
fidelity1 and zeal1  in adhering to him1
 and his ways1 even in such a time as   
this2 you  are highly favoured4 ,blessed
 be the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 that he  
hath  regarded the low estates of his   
servants3 that he should ever indulge   
you as he hath1 and hover over you1 even
 as the eagle stirreth up her  nest1 and
 fluttereth over her young1 spreadeth   
abroad her wings1 taketh  them1 beareth 
them on her wings1 for so hath the ,lord
 your ,god dealt  with you3 he hath kept
 you as the apple of his eye1 and since 
the  streams of ,cherith were dried up1 

yet to this day he hath not suffered    
the handful of meal to waste1 nor the   
oil in the cruise to fail1 but  hath    
continually provided for you4 ,how      
should ,i love and bless the ,lord  for 
this his great grace towards you8 ,now  
,i beseech you my brethren1  that you   
consider the kindness of the ,lord2 for 
the ,lord your ,god is  he that careth  
for you1 and that you love the ,lord    
your ,god1 and fear  him for ever1 for  
he is your life1 and the length of your 
days4 ,but as  ,job had a holy fear of  
his children1 lest they should have     
offended3  so ,i am jealous of you with 
a godly jealousy1 lest any of you should
  receive this grace of ,god in vain4 ,i
 must not cease to put you mind1  that  
,god doth look for no small matter from 
you4 ,remember my charge1  that there be
 not a barren tree nor a dwarf          
,christian among you2 where  the ,lord  
soweth much1 he expects to reap         
accordingly4 ,whose account1 my         
beloved1 is like to be so great as      

yours8 ,o look about you1 and think  of 
the master coming to reckon with you for
 his talents2 when he will  expect no   
small increase4 ,beloved1 what can you  
do8 ,how much are you  grown8 ,what     
spoil have you made upon your           
corruptions8 ,what progress  in grace8  
,suppose ,christ should put the         
awakening question to you1 ,what do you 
more than others8 ,god doth expect more 
of his people1 than of any  others in   
the world3 and well he may4 ,for        
,first1 ,he hath bestowed more on them  
than on others3 now where  much is      
given1 much shall be required2 can you  
think of that without  trembling8 ,he   
hath bestowed on them singular love2    
,thee only have ,i  known of all the    
families on earth3 and he looks that his
 love should  be a constraining argument
 to obedience4 ,again1 he hath laid out 
a  singular care for his people1 more   
than for others3 he cares for no men1   
for nothing in the world1 in comparison 
of them4 ,he reproveth kings  for their 

sakes4 ,he will give nations and        
kingdoms for their ransom4  ,so precious
 are they in his sight1 and so dearly   
beloved1 that he will  give men for     
them1 and people for their life4 ,he    
withdraweth not his  eyes from the      
righteous1 he will not endure them out  
of his sight4 ,the  eyes of the ,lord   
are upon the righteous1 and first the   
eye of his more  accurate observation3  
,god can wink at others as it were1 and 
overlook  what they do with little      
notice1 but he has a most curious eye   
upon his  people1 he marketh their      
steps1 and booketh their words1 he      
weigheth  their actions1 and pondereth  
all their goings4 ,and should they not  
walk more cautiously than any alive1    
that are under so exact an eye8         
,secondly1 the eye of special care and  
protection4 ,behold the eye of  the     
,lord is upon them that fear him1 ,i    
will guide thee with mine eye3  and     
should not they be infinitely tender and
 careful how to please the  ,lord1 who  

have his singular care laid out on them8
 ,in short1 ,god hath  bestowed on them 
singular privileges3 these are a        
peculiar treasure  to him above all     
people1 a kingdom of priests1 an holy   
nation2 they  dwell alone1 they are     
diverse from all people4 ,when the whole
 world  lies in wickedness1 these are   
called and chosen1 and faithful1 washed1
  and justified1 and sanctified in the  
name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by  the   
,spirit of our ,god4 ,the rest are the  
refuse2 these the jewels4 ,shall  not   
,god's priests be cloathed with         
righteousness1 and shall not princes    
live above the rate of peasants8        
,secondly1 ,he hath entrusted them with 
more than others3 not only  with the    
talents of his grace1 7for the increase 
whereof they must give  a strict        
account7 but also with the jewel of his 
glory4 ,how tenderly  should they walk1 
that are entrusted with such a jewel8   
,remember1 your  ,maker's glory is bound
 up in your fruitful walking4           

,thirdly1 ,he hath qualified them more  
than others4 ,he hath put into  them a  
principle of life1 having quickened them
 together with ,christ4  ,he hath set up
 a light in their minds1 when others lie
 in darkness4 ,he  hath given them other
 aids1 than others have1 even his       
,spirit to help  their infirmities1 when
 others lie like vessels that are       
wind-bound1  and cannot stir4           
,fourthly1 ,he hath provided for them   
other manner of things than for  others4
 ,these are the little flock to whom it 
is his good pleasure  to give the       
kingdom3 great are the preparations for 
them4 ,the ,father  hath prepared the   
kingdom for them from the foundations of
 the world3  the ,son is gone to heaven 
on purpose to prepare a place for them3 
the  ,spirit is preparing them1 and     
making them meet to be partakers of the 
inheritance of the saints in light3 and 
should these be like other  people8     
,brethren1 ,god and men expect you      
should do more than others1 see that    

you be indeed singular4 ,for    #a4 ,if 
you do no more for ,god than others1 he 
will do more against you  than others3  
,you only have ,i known1 therefore will 
,i punish you4  ,the barren tree in the 
vineyard must down1 whereas had he been 
in the  common he might have stood much 
longer4 ,god looketh for grapes from his
  vineyard1 on which he had bestowed    
such care more than ordinary1 but  when 
they bring forth wild grapes1 he will   
lay them waste in a worse  manner than  
the forest4    #b4 ,if you do no more   
than others1 you must look for no more  
than others3  ,if you should put off    
,god with a common obedience1 you must  
expect to  be put off with common       
mercies4    #c4 ,except you do more than
 others1 ,god will be dishonoured by you
 more  than others4    ,and truly1 as   
,god looks for more from his own than   
others1 so he looks  for more from you  
than others1 even of his own1 because he
 hath done  more3 see that you be       
shining ,christians1 that you be strong 

in the  grace of ,god1 that you press   
towards the mark4 ,but ,i must conclude2
 ,i  give my love among you all1 being  
able to add no more1 but that ,i am     
,your's in fervent love and longings1   
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xvi4                 ,to the 
servants of ,god in ,taunton1 salvation4
    ,most endeared ,christians1    ,i   
,,am your's1 and love to be so1 being   
ambitious not to have dominion  over    
your faith1 but to be a helper of your  
joy4 ,christ's officers are  so your    
rulers in the ,lord1 as yet to preach   
not themselves1 but the  ,lord ,jesus   
,christ1 and themselves your servants   
for ,jesus's sake4 ,i  have no greater  
felicity under ,god1 than to serve the  
good of souls4  ,brethren1 how fares it 
with your souls8 ,are they in health8   
,do they  prosper8 ,it is a joy to me to
 hear when your trade flourishes3 but   
these are very little things if we look 
into eternity4 ,brethren1 my  ambition  
for you is1 that you should be cedars   

among the shrubs2 that  from you should 
sound out the word of the ,lord1 and    
that in every place  your faith to      
,god-ward should be spread abroad4 ,that
 ye should be as  a field that the ,lord
 hath blessed3 that you should not only 
have the  name1 but the spirit1 life1   
power1 heat1 growth1 vigour of          
,christianity  among you4 ,let not      
,taunton only have the name to live3 but
 to see  to it1 that the kingdom of ,god
 be with you3 ,oh that every one of your
  souls might be a temple of ,god6 ,oh  
that every one of your families  might  
be a church of ,god6 ,beloved1 look to  
it1 that every one that  nameth the name
 of ,christ among you depart from       
iniquity1 secret as  well as open1 of   
the heart as well as of the life4 ,let  
no man think  that to make an out-cry   
upon the wickedness of the times1 will  
serve  his turn2 many go to hell in the 
company of the wise virgins4 ,that no   
man may be a self-deceiver1 let every   
man be a self-searcher4 ,he  that keeps 

no day-book in his shop1 and no account 
in his conscience1  his estate and his  
soul will thrive both alike4 ,beloved1  
,i would that  you should remember      
whither you are going4 ,if a man be     
after a few  months to be transported   
into another country1 never to return1  
he will  send over whatever he can1 and 
make the best provision he may against  
he come into that country4 ,brethren1   
you are strangers and pilgrims  here1   
and have but a few month's stay in this 
country2 see that you  traffic much with
 heaven4 ,christ is our common factor4  
,o send over to  him what possibly you  
can4 ,give alms plentifully1 pray       
continually1  be much in meditation and 
consideration2 reckon with yourselves   
daily3  walk with ,god in your callings4
 ,do all the duties of your relations as
  unto ,god3 live not one day to        
yourselves1 but unto ,christ3 so shall  
you  be continually transporting into   
another world1 and laying up treasure   
in heaven3 and ,o the blessed store that

 you shall find there after a  few years
 diligence6 99,beloved1 while you are   
here in this world1 you  are but like a 
merchant's ship in a strange port2 the  
day for your  return is set1 and you are
 to stay no longer than 'till your      
freight  is ready4 ,be wise1 know your  
season1 improve your time1 you are made 
or  marred forever1 as you speed in this
 one voyage4 ,there is no returning  to 
this country to mend a bad market4 ,god 
will call in all his talents1  time     
shall be no longer4 ,oh1 come in1 come  
and buy now1 while the  market is open1 
that you who want may have grace1 and   
you that have1  may have it more        
abundantly4 ,go and plead with the ,lord
 ,jesus1 that he  hath bid you come1 buy
 and eat without money1 and without     
price3 that  he hath counselled you to  
come buy of him1 gold1 raiment1 and     
eye-salve2  tell him you are come       
according to his call1 and wait upon him
 for  grace1 for righteousness1 for     
light and instruction3 lay hold on his  

word1 plead it1 live upon it2 he is     
worthy to be believed1 worthy to  be    
trusted1 go out of yourselves to him1   
unlearn yourselves4 ,there is  a        
threefold foot that we naturally stand  
upon1 our own wisdom1 our  own          
righteousness1 and our own strength2    
these three feet must be  cut off1 and  
we must learn to have no subsistence but
 in ,christ1 and  to stand only on his  
bottom4 ,study the excellent lesson of  
self-denial1  self-annihilation4 ,a true
 ,christian is like a vine that cannot  
stand of  itself1 but is wholly         
supported by the prop it leans on4 ,it  
is no small  thing to know ourselves to 
be nothing1 of no might1 of no worth1 of
 no  understanding2 to look upon        
ourselves as helpless1 worthless1       
foolish1  empty shadows4 ,this holy     
littleness is a great matter2 when we   
find  that all our inventory amounts to 
nothing but folly1 weakness1 and        
beggary3 when we set down ourselves for 
cyphers1 our gain for loss1  our        

excellencies for very vanities1 then we 
shall learn to live like  believers4 ,a 
true saint is like a glass without a    
foot1 that set him  where you will1 is  
ready to fall every way till you set him
 to a prop3  let ,christ be the only    
support you lean on4 ,when you are      
throughly  emptied1 and see all your    
comeliness to be but as a withered      
flower1  dead1 dried1 past recovery1    
then you will be put upon the happy     
necessity of going out to ,christ for   
all4    ,i can add no more but my       
prayers to my counsels1 and so          
commending you  to ,god1 and the word of
 his grace1 ,i rest                     
,the fervent well-wisher of your souls1 
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xvii4                 ,to the
 servants of ,god in ,taunton1          
salvation4    ,most endeared            
,christians1    ,i ,,send you a few     
prison counsels4    #a4 ,to improve for 
eternity1 the advantages of your present
 state4  ,though you are at many        

disadvantages with respect to the public
  ordinances1 yet you have many most    
happy privileges4 ,oh what a mercy  have
 you that you may serve ,god when you   
will in your families6  ,that you may be
 as much as you will with ,god in secret
 prayer1 and  holy meditation1 and      
self-examination6 ,i beseech you        
consider what a  blessing you have above
 others1 that have your health1 and a   
competency1  and are free from those    
heart-eating cares1 that others are     
disabled  by1 from looking after ,god   
and their souls4 ,oh consider what a    
blessed  seed-time you have for         
eternity6 ,now be wise and improve your 
happy  season4 ,prepare for death4 ,make
 all sure3 press on towards the mark4   
,lay up in store for yourselves a good  
foundation against the time to  come4   
,in the morning sow your seed1 and in   
the evening withdraw not  your hand4    
,treasure up much in heaven4 ,what      
profit is it that you have  more than   
others8 ,more liberty1 more comfort1    

more health1 more wealth8  ,except you  
love ,god more1 and serve him better    
than others4 ,now ply  your work1 and   
dispatch your business1 so as that you  
may have nothing  to trouble you upon   
your death-beds4    #b4 ,to consider    
also the disadvantages of your state4   
,study to know  your own weakness1 and  
where your danger lies1 that you may    
obviate  ,satan1 and prevent your       
miscarrying3 there is no condition but  
has  its snares4 ,see that ye acquaint  
yourselves with his devices lest you  be
 beguiled by him1 through your own      
unwariness4 ,you that are well  provided
 for in the world had need to watch     
yourselves1 lest you fall  in love with 
present things1 lest you be lifted up1  
lest you trust in  those carnal props1  
and put confidence in the creatures1    
lest you warp1  and decline1 and baulk  
your duties1 through the desire of      
preserving  your estates4 ,you that have
 little in the world1 are not without   
your  temptations3 ,oh take heed of     

envying others prosperity1 of murmuring 
and discontent1 of diffidence and       
distrustfulness1 of using indirect      
means to help yourselves3 be sure you   
make not any pressures an excuse  from  
your daily serving ,god in your         
families1 and in secret4 ,set this  down
 as your rule1 and unchangeable         
resolution1 that ,god and your souls    
and your families shall be looked duly  
and continually after1 go the  world    
which way it will4 ,consider what sins  
your tempers1 relations1  callings1 most
 expose you to4 ,be not strangers to    
yourselves4 ,prove  yourselves upright  
in keeping from your iniquities4        
99#c4 ,to converse often with your dust4
 ,brethren1 we are going2 the  grave    
waiteth for us3 ,o forget not that      
corruption is your father1  and the worm
 your mother1 and your sister6 ,these   
are your kindred that  you must shortly 
dwell with1 when you come to your long  
home4 ,remember  the days of darkness   
which shall be many4 ,take every day    

some serious  turns with death4 ,think  
where you shall be a few days hence4    
,happy he  that knew not what to-morrow 
meant for twenty years together4        
,believe  it1 you will find it no little
 thing to die4 ,think often how you are 
provided4 ,were you never within sight  
of death8 ,how did it look8 ,what  did  
you wish for most at that time8 ,what   
did then trouble you most8 ,oh  mark    
these things1 and live accordingly4     
,often ask your hearts1 ,what if  ,god  
should this night require my soul8      
99#d4 ,to serve your generation with    
your might while you have time4 ,you    
have but a very little time to bring    
,god any glory here1 or to do your      
friends any good4 ,now up and be doing4 
,now or never live in the deep  and     
constant sense of the very little time  
that you have for this world1  and the  
great work you have to do4 ,you are     
going whence you shall not  return4     
,there's no after-game to be played4    
,what6 ,but one cast for  eternity1 and 

will you not be careful to throw that   
well8    ,most dearly beloved1 ,i covet 
after your furtherance in mortification1
  and growth in grace4 ,and oh that ,i  
could represent death unto you1 as  it  
will shew shortly itself3 or could but  
open a window into eternity  to you3    
,how effectually would this do the work6
 ,then the cripple would  fling away his
 crutches1 the slothful would pluck his 
hand out of his  bosom1 and shake off   
his excuses1 and be night and day at his
 work4  ,then the ,laodicean would be   
recovered from his benumbed frame2 then 
we should have no halving in religion1  
no lazy wishing and complaining2  but   
men would ply the oars to purpose1 and  
sweat at their work4         8benummed0 
replaced with 8benumbed0    ,brethren1  
lift up yourselves above the objects of 
sense2 be men for  eternity1 and carry  
it like those that seek for glory1      
honour1 and  immortality4 ,i commend you
 to divine grace2 and am                
,your's in the bonds of the gospel of   

our ,lord ,jesus1                       
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the common 
gaol at ,ivelchester1      ,march #e1   
#affe4                                  
,,letter ,,xviii4            ,to the    
loving and most beloved people1 the     
servants of ,god                      in
 ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most    
dearly beloved1    99,,although ,i am   
forced at the present1 to be at a       
distance from you1 yet  ,i would not    
have you ignorant1 that the care of your
 eternal welfare  is always living upon 
my heart4 ,therefore as my beloved      
friends ,i warn  you1 and cease not to  
stir you up by way of remembrance1 being
 jealous  for you with a godly jealousy1
 that no man take your crown4 ,i know   
you have many enemies1 and above all ,i 
fear your bosom enemies3 and  as the    
watchman of the ,lord ,i give you       
careful warning1 and exhort you  all not
 to be high-minded1 but fear4 ,blessed  
is the man that feareth  always4 ,look  
diligently1 lest any of you fail of the 

grace of ,god4 ,you  have made long     
profession of the name of ,jesus        
,christ3 ,oh1 see upon  what ground you 
stand4 ,you must1 every one of you1     
stand shortly before  the judgment-seat 
of ,christ1 and be tried for your lives3
 ,oh1 try  yourselves throughly first4  
',tis easy to mistake a partial         
reformation  and external obedience1 for
 true sanctification4 ,therefore ,i     
beseech  you every one1 to examine      
whether you are in the faith4 ,prove    
your  ownselves4 ,tell not me1 you hope 
you are sincere1 you hope you shall go  
to heaven3 never put it off with hopes1 
but pray1 and try1 and search1  till you
 know you are passed from death unto    
life1 and that you have a  building1 not
 made with hands1 eternal in the        
heavens4    ,suppose ,i should ask you  
one by one1 where are your evidences for
  heaven8 ,could you make out your      
claim8 ,can you bring me scripture      
proof8 ,can you shew me the marks of the
 ,lord ,jesus8 ,what mean you to  live  

at uncertainties8 ,brethren1 it is an   
intolerable ignorance for  any of you in
 these days of glorious light1 not to be
 able to tell  the distinguishing marks 
of a sound believer4 ,and it is         
intolerable  carelessness1 if you do not
 bring yourselves to the trial by these 
marks4 ,what6 ,are your hands filled    
with books1 and your ears with  sermons1
 that tell you so plainly from the word 
of ,god1 how you shall  know whether you
 are in ,christ1 and are you still to   
seek8 ,oh1 stir  up yourselves4 ,take   
heed1 lest a promise being left of      
entering into  his rest1 any of you fall
 short of it at last4 ,you are a        
professing  people2 you pray1 and you   
hear2 but oh1 look to your sincerity4   
,look  to your principles1 look to your 
ends2 else you may lose all at last4    
,examine not only what is done1 but     
whence 'tis done2 look to the root  as  
well as to the fruit4 ,eye not only your
 actions1 but your aims4  ,remember what
 a strict eye you are under4 ,the ,lord 

,jesus makes strict  observation upon   
all your works and ways4 ,he observes   
who of you  are fruitful1 and who are   
barren and unprofitable4 ,he knows who  
are  thriving1 and who declining4 ,he   
observes who are warm1 and who lukewarm3
  who are sound ,christians1 and who    
have only a name to live4               
8carelesness0 replaced with             
8carelessness0    ,christians1 put on1  
press towards the mark1 be adding to    
your faith  virtue2 and to virtue       
knowledge4 ,see that you grow           
extensively1 being  abundant in all     
sorts of good works4 ,be pitiful1 be    
courteous1 gentle1  easy to be          
intreated4 ,be slow to anger1 soon      
reconciled4 ,be patient1  be temperate1 
be chearful4 ,study not every one only  
his own things1 but  also the good of   
his neighbour4 ,think it not enough to  
look to your own  souls but watch for   
the souls of others4 ,pray for them1    
warn them1 be  kind to them1 study to   
oblige them1 that by any means you may  

win them1  and gain your souls4         
,labour to grow intensively1 to do      
better the things that you did  before1 
to be more fervent in prayer1 more free 
and willing in all the  ways of the     
,lord1 to hear with more profit1 to     
examine yourselves more  thoroughly1 to 
mind heaven more frequently4    ,i      
commend myself to your prayers1 and you 
to the grace of ,god1  remaining        
,your's in the ,lord ,jesus1            
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,dorchester1     
,july #g1 #affc4                        
,,letter ,,xix4               ,the      
character and privileges of true        
believers4                 ,to the most 
beloved people1 the servants of ,god    
in ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
dearly beloved1    ,i ,,rejoice to hear 
of ,god's continual goodness towards    
you2 he is your  shepherd1 and therefore
 it is that you do not want4 ,me you    
have not  always1 but he is ever with   
you2 his rod and his staff shall comfort
  you4 ,surely goodness and mercy shall 

follow you all your days1 and you  shall
 dwell in the house of the ,lord for    
ever4    ,in this my dear brethren1     
rejoice1 that ,god is engaged in so near
  and so sweet a relation to you4       
,doubtless your souls shall lodge in    
goodness1 and be provided for carefully1
 that have the ,almighty for  your      
shepherd4 ,blessed are the flock of his 
hands1 and the sheep of his  pasture2   
happy are the people that are in such a 
case4    ,but who are ,christ's sheep8  
,not all professors4 ,i beseech you to  
take heed how you rest in  profession4  
,it is not profession1 but conversion   
that turns a  man from a swine to a     
sheep4 ,let none of you flatter         
yourselves1 that  because you have      
escaped the gross pollutions of the     
world1 therefore  you are among the     
number of ,christ's sheep4 ,all this you
 may attain to1  and yet be but washed  
swine2 there must be an inward1 deep1   
thorough1  universal change upon your   
natures1 dispositions1 inclinations1 or 

else  you are not ,christ's sheep4      
99,if you will be put out of doubt      
whether you are his sheep or not1 you   
must try it by the mark that ,christ    
sets upon all his sheep1 even your      
sanctification4 ,you that will stand to 
the trial1 answer me truly  and         
deliberately to these questions4 ,do you
 hate every sin as the sheep  doth the  
mire8 ,do you regard no iniquity in your
 hearts8 ,do you strive  against1 and   
oppose all sin1 though it may seem never
 so necessary1  never so natural to you1
 or have you not your secret haunts for 
evil8  ,for every swine will have his   
swill4 ,do you abstain from sin out of  
fear1 or out of dislike8 ,are you at    
peace with no sin8 ,do you not hide     
some iniquity as a sweet morsel under   
your tongue8 ,is there not some         
practice that you are not willing to    
know is a sin for fear you should  be   
forced to leave it8 ,do you love the    
commandment that forbids your  sin1 or  
do you not wish it out of the bible1 as 

that evil man wished1  ,god had never   
made the seventh commandment8 ,again1   
,how do you stand  affected towards     
holiness8 ,do you love it8 ,do you      
choose it8 ,do you  hunger and thirst   
after it1 and desire it more than any   
temporal good8  ,have you chosen the way
 of ,god's precepts1 and had rather live
 holily  than be allowed to live in your
 sins8 ,do you in your very hearts      
prefer a strict life in communion with  
and conformity to ,god1 before  the     
prosperity of the world8 ,do you chuse  
holiness1 not out of bare  necessity1   
because you cannot go to heaven without 
it1 but out of  love to it1 and from a  
deep sense that you have of the         
surpassing  loveliness1 and beauty of   
it8 ,if it be thus with you1 you are the
  persons that the ,lord ,jesus hath    
marked for his sheep4    ,and now1 come 
all that have this mark1 come and       
understand your  happiness4 ,you are    
marked out for preservation1 and let it 
go how it  will with the rest1 it shall 

go well with you4 ,you are the separated
  ones upon whom the angel hath set the 
seal of the living ,god2 you are        
redeemed unto ,god from among men1 being
 the first fruits unto ,god and  the    
,lamb1 and have your ,father's name     
written in your foreheads4    ,hail1 you
 are highly favoured of the ,lord1      
blessed are ye among men6  ,though you  
are but poor and despised1 and little   
like ,benjamin among  the thousands of  
,judah2 you carry away the blessing and 
the privilege  from all the rest4 ,god  
hath done more for the least of you than
 for  the whole world of mankind        
besides4 ,fear not little flock1 it is  
your  ,father's good pleasure to give   
you the kingdom4 ,all that the scripture
  speaks of that kingdom of glory1 that 
everlasting kingdom1 it speaks  to you4 
,behold your inheritance4 ,you are the  
sons of ,god1 inheritors of  the kingdom
 of heaven1 joint heirs with ,christ the
 ,lord of glory4    ,do you believe     
this8 ,do you thoroughly believe8 ,if   

so1 my work is  done1 ,i need not bid   
you rejoice1 nor bid you be thankful1   
only believe4 ,do this and do all4      
,believe and you will rejoice  with joy 
unspeakable1 and full of glory4 ,believe
 and you will be  fruitful1 and shew    
your faith by your works4 ,believe and  
you  will love1 for faith worketh by    
love4 ,in a word1 keep these things     
upon your hearts by daily and lively    
consideration1 and this will  bring     
heaven into your souls1 and engage you  
to all manner of holy  conversation4    
,this will mortify you to the world1 the
 grand enemy  which ,i charge you to    
beware of4 ,o remember1 your's is the   
kingdom2  and ponder these sayings in   
your hearts4 ,beloved1 ,i have written  
these  things to you that your joy may  
be full4 ,and now peace ,i leave with   
you4 ,i am ,christ's embassador to you1 
an embassador of peace2 his  peace ,i   
pronounce unto you2 in his name ,i bless
 you4 ,farewell in the  ,lord4          
,i am1                 ,the fervent     

well-wisher of your souls1              
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,devizes1 ,june  
#bi1 #afff4                             
,,letter ,,xx4                          
,of the love of ,christ4                
,to the servants of ,god in ,taunton1   
salvation1    ,most dearly beloved1     
,,oh that my letters in my absence might
 be useful to you6 ,it is my joy  to    
serve you1 and my love to you is without
 dissimulation3 ,witness my  twice lost 
liberties1 and my impaired health1 all  
which ,i might have  preserved1 had it  
not been for my readiness to minister to
 you4    ,but what do ,i speak of my    
love8 ,it is the infinite love of ,god  
your  ,father that ,i would have to     
dwell upon you4 ,forget me1 so you      
remember  him4 ,let me be very little1  
so he be very lovely in your eyes4 ,bury
 me1  so you set the ,lord always before
 you4 ,let my name be written in the    
dust1 so his name be written deep upon  
all your souls4    99,o ,lord1 ,i am thy
 servant1 truly ,i am thy servant1      

glorify thine own  name by me1 and thou 
shalt have my hand to it1 that ,i will  
be content  to be hid in obscurity1 and 
to disappear through the brightness of  
thy  glory4    ,i preach not myself1 but
 the ,lord ,jesus4 ,give him your       
hearts1 and ,i  have my errand4 ,i am   
but the friend of the bridegroom1 and my
 business  is1 but to give you to       
understand his love1 and to gain your   
hearts  unto him4 ,he is an object      
worthy of my commendations1 and of your 
affections4 ,his love is worth the      
writing of1 and worth the thinking  of1 
and worth the speaking of4 ,oh my       
brethren1 never forget1 ,i beseech  you1
 how he loveth you4 ,he is in heaven1   
and you are on earth2 yet he  loveth    
you4 ,his heart is infinitely tender of 
you4 ,even now while he is  at the      
right-hand of the ,majesty on high1 how 
feelingly doth he cry out  at the hurt  
of his poor members on earth1 ,saul1    
,saul1 why persecutest  thou me6 ,oh of 
what quick sense is our dear ,lord unto 

us6 ,when we are  touched on earth1 he  
feels it in heaven4    ,brethren1       
possess your hearts with this1 that     
,christ's love doth go  out with        
infinite dearness towards you4 ,even    
now1 whilst he is in all  his glory1 he 
earnestly remembers you still4 ,this is 
the high-priest1  that now entered into 
the holy of holies1 doth bear your      
names1  remembring every poor believer4 
,he bears your names1 but where8 ,upon  
his breast-plate1 upon his heart1       
,exodus xxviii4 #bi4 ,sure your lot is  
fallen in an happy place6 ,what1 in the 
bosom of ,christ8 ,yea1 verily ,i  may  
apply that of ,gabriel1 ,o ,daniel1 thou
 art greatly beloved6 unto  you4 ,you   
are beloved indeed1 to have your names  
written upon the very  heart of ,christ 
now he is in glory4    ,oh1 let his name
 be written on your hearts4 ,do not     
write his name  in the sand1 when he has
 written yours upon his own breast6 ,do 
not  forget him who hath taken such     
care1 that while he is1 he may never    

forget you1 having recorded your names1 
not only on his book1 but on  his flesh1
 and set you as a seal upon his heart4  
,he hath you upon his  heart1 but why8  
,for a memorial before the ,lord        
continually4 ,beloved1  your ,lord is so
 far from forgetting you in all his     
greatness and glory1  that he is gone   
into heaven on purpose1 there to present
 you before  the ,lord1 that you may be 
always in remembrance before him4 ,o    
beloved1  glory1 yea1 and triumph in his
 love3 doubtless it must go well with   
us4  ,who shall condemn8 ,it is ,christ 
that died and rose again1 and is now    
making intercession4 ,his interest is   
potent4 ,he is always present4 ,our     
advocate is never out of court4 ,never  
did cause miscarry in his hand4  ,trust 
you safely in him4    ,oh1 the riches of
 ,christ's love6 ,he did not think it   
enough to die for  you4 ,his love doth  
not end with his natural life on earth1 
but he ever  liveth to make intercession
 for us4 ,his love is like his life1    

ever1  ever3 knowing no remission in    
degree1 nor intermission of time1 no    
cessation of working1 but is ever1 ever 
in motion towards us4    ,if the pens of
 all the world were employed to write   
volumes of love1  if the tongues of all 
the living were exercised in nothing    
else but  talking of his love2 if all   
hearts were made up of love2 and all the
  powers and affections of the mind     
turned into love1 yet this were no  less
 than infinitely too little1 either to  
conceive or express the  greatness of   
,christ's love4    ,o my beloved1 may   
your souls be swallowed up in this love4
 ,think and  think while you will1 you  
can never think how much you are        
beloved4 ,see  that you love again by   
way of gratitude1 though not of         
requital3  ,what though your souls be   
but narrow1 and your powers but little8 
,yet  love him with all you have4 ,love 
him with all your hearts and all your   
strength4 ,to the meditations1 and to   
the embraces of divine love ,i  leave   

you1 remaining1              ,your's in 
the bonds of the most dear ,lord ,jesus1
                                        
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,august #aa1     
#affe4                                  
,,letter ,,xxi4                      ,to
 the beloved people1 the inhabitants    
of ,taunton1 grace and peace4    ,most  
dear friends1    ,,my chief joy is1 that
 my beloved is mine and ,i am his4 ,but 
next to that  ,i have no joy so great as
 that you are mine and ,i am yours1 and 
you  are ,christ's4 ,my relation to     
,christ is above all3 he is my life and 
my  peace1 my riches and my             
righteousness3 he is my hope and my     
strength1  and mine inheritance1 and my 
rejoicing3 in him will ,i please myself 
for  ever1 and in him will ,i glory4 ,i 
esteem myself most happy and rich1 and  
safe in him1 though of myself ,i am     
nothing4 ,in him ,i may boast without   
pride1 and glory without vanity4 ,here  
is no danger of being over-much         
pleased2 neither can the ,christian     

exceed his bounds in valuing his  own   
riches and happiness in ,christ4 ,the   
,lord hath dealt bountifully  with me1  
and none shall stop this my confidence  
of boasting in ,christ4  ,but as my lot 
in him is above all1 so it is no small  
content to me1  that my lot is fallen   
with you4 ,and though ,i have broken my 
health1 and  lost my liberty once and   
again for your sakes1 yet none of these 
things  move me4 ,i wish nothing more   
than to spend and to be spent upon the  
service of your faith4 ,i bless the     
,lord for it is an invaluable mercy1    
that ever he called me to be an         
embassador of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ  
to you-wards4 ,in this station ,i desire
 to approve myself to him1 and  that ,i 
am withdrawn from my work for a season1 
it is but that ,i may  return to you    
refreshed1 and more enabled for my work 
among you4 ,i am  tender of preserving  
the little strength ,god doth add to me1
 entirely  for your sakes4 ,i bless the 
,lord ,i am in great tranquility here in

 this  town1 and walk up and down       
without any questioning me4 ,i do by    
this  return you my hearty thanks for   
your earnest prayers in my behalf1 for  
it is ,god that must do the cure4 ,i    
seem to be retired to this place1  as a 
vessel rent and shattered and torn in   
the service1 that is come  to recruit in
 the harbour3 ,and here ,i am as it were
 repairing and  victualling to put forth
 again in the service3 which ,i shall do
 as soon  as ,i am ready4 ,what is my   
life unless ,i am serviceable8 ,and     
though ,i  must for the present forbear 
my wonted labour1 yet ,i shall not cease
 to  exhort you while ,i am absent from 
you1 to stand fast1 and to grow up in   
your holy faith4    ,be warned1 my      
beloved1 that you fall not upon those   
rocks on which so  many have been split4
    ,there are three things which ,i    
beseech you carefully to beware of4     
,first1 ,lest while ,christ is in your  
mouths1 the world run away with  your   
hearts4 ,there is many a seeming        

,christian that will be found a  mere   
,idolater4 ,many a soul goes down to    
,hell in this sin1 and never  discerns  
it till it be too late4 ,remember1 that 
the ,oxen1 the ,farm1  ,wife1           
,merchandize1 all of them lawful        
comforts1 did effectually keep  men from
 closing with ,christ1 as the vilest    
lusts of the worst of  men4 ,whatever   
you find your hearts very much pleased  
in among these  earthly comforts1 set a 
mark upon that thing1 and remember that 
there  lies your greatest danger4 ,what 
you love most1 you must fear most2 and  
think often with yourselves1 this1 if   
any thing1 is like to be my ruin4  ,oh1 
the multitudes that perish by the secret
 hand of this enemy1 the  over-valuing  
of earthly things4 ,the hearers compared
 to the thorny  ground did openly fall  
away2 but while others withered they    
were as  green and fresh as ever2 and   
yet their inordinate affection to the   
things of this life1 secretly undid all 
at last4 ,little do most think  while   

they please themselves in their estates1
 while they delight  themselves so      
freely in their children1 in their      
wives1 in their  habitations and        
possessions2 that these are the things  
which are like  to undo them for ever4  
,how little is that scripture thought   
of1 love  not the world2 if any man love
 the world1 the love of the ,father is  
not  in him4 ,are there not many among  
us1 who though they keep up prayer1  and
 other holy duties2 yet the strength of 
their hearts goeth out  after earthly   
things8 ,and these are their chief care 
and their chief  joy4 ,such must know   
they are none of ,christ's2 and they had
 better  understand now1 and seek to be 
renewed by repentance1 than hereafter1  
when there shall be no place for        
repentance4    ,secondly1 ,lest while   
iniquity abounds1 your love to ,christ  
wax cold4  ,remember what an abomination
 ,laodicea was to ,christ1 because she  
grew luke-warm2 and what a controversy  
he had with ,ephesus1 a sound  church1  

because she did but slacken and grow    
remiss in her love4 ,a  friend is born  
for adversity2 and now is the time1 if  
you will prove  the sincerity of your   
love to ,christ1 by following him       
zealously1  resolvedly1 fully1 now he is
 rejected and opposed4    ,thirdly1     
,lest you keep up a barren and fruitless
 profession4 ,see to  it1 that you be   
not only professors1 but proficients4   
,many think all  is well because they go
 on in the exercises of religion2 but   
alas6 ,you  may keep on praying and     
hearing all the week long1 and yet be   
not one  jot the farther4 ,many there   
are that keep going1 but it is like the 
horse in the mill1 that is going all    
day1 but yet is no farther than  when he
 first began4 ,nay1 it often happens in 
the trade of religion1  as in trading in
 the world1 many keep on trading still1 
'till for want  of care1 and examining  
their accounts1 they trade themselves   
out of  all4 ,oh1 look to it my         
brethren1 that none of you rest in the  

doing  of duties1 but examine what comes
 of them4 ,otherwise1 as you may trade  
yourselves into poverty1 so you may hear
 and pray yourselves into  hardness of  
heart and desperate security and        
formality4 ,this was the  very case of  
wretched ,laodicea1 who kept in the     
track of religious  duties1 and verily  
thought that all was well1 because the  
trade went on1  and that she was        
increased in spiritual goods4 ,but when 
her accounts  were cast up1 all comes to
 nothing1 and ends in wretchedness1     
poverty1  and nakedness4 ,i commend you 
to the living ,god1 remaining           
,your fervent well-wisher and           
,embassador in ,christ4                 
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,devizes1 ,june  
#bb1 #afff4                             
,,letter ,,xxii4                        
,an admiration of the love of ,god4     
,to the most loving and best beloved1   
the servants of ,god in ,taunton1       
salvation4    ,my most dear friends1    
,i ,,love you1 and long for you in the  

,lord1 and ,i am weary with  forbearing 
that good and blessed work that the     
,lord hath committed to  me1 for the    
furtherance of your salvation4 ,how     
long1 ,lord1 how long  shall ,i dwell in
 silence8 ,how long shall my tongue     
cleave to the roof  of my mouth8 ,when  
will ,god open my lips1 that ,i may     
stand up and praise  him8 ,but it is my 
,father's good pleasure yet to keep me  
in a total  disability of publishing his
 name among you2 unto him my soul shall 
patiently subscribe4 ,i cannot complain 
that he is hard to me3 ,i am full  of   
the mercies of the ,lord1 and shall ,i  
complain8 ,far be it from me4    99,but 
though ,i may not murmur1 methinks ,i   
may mourn a little1 and sit  down and   
wish1 ,o if ,i may not have a tongue to 
speak1 would ,i had but  hands to write1
 that ,i might from my pen drop some    
heavenly counsels to  my beloved people4
 ,but it cannot be2 alas1 my right hand 
seems to have  forgot her cunning1 and  
hath much ado with trembling to lift the

 bread  into my mouth4 ,do you think you
 should have had so little to shew under
  my hand1 to bear witness of my care   
for you1 and love to you1 if ,god  had  
not shook my pen as it were out of my   
hand8 ,but all that he doth  is done    
well1 and wisely1 and therefore ,i      
submit4 ,i have purposed to  borrow     
hands wherewith to write unto my        
beloved1 rather than be silent  any     
longer4    ,but where shall ,i begin1 or
 when should ,i end8 ,if ,i think to    
speak of  the mercies of ,god towards   
me1 or mine enlarged affections towards 
you1  ,i feel already how in-sufficient 
all ,i can say will prove at last to    
utter what ,i have to tell you3 but     
shall ,i say nothing because ,i cannot  
utter all8 ,this must not be neither4   
,come then all ye that fear the ,lord1  
and ,i will tell you what he hath  done 
for my soul4 ,oh help me to love that   
precious name of his1 which  is above   
all my praises4 ,o love the ,lord all ye
 his saints1 magnify him  with me1 and  

let us exalt his name together6 ,he hath
 remembred my low  estate1 because his  
mercy endureth for ever4 ,blessed be you
 of the ,lord1  for all your            
remembrances of me before the ,lord4    
,you have wrestled with  the ,lord for  
me1 you have wrestled me out of the jaws
 of death3 ,o the  strength of prayer6  
,surely it is stronger than death4 ,see 
that you  have the honour the power and 
prevalency of prayer3 ,oh be in love    
with  prayer1 and have high and         
venerable thoughts of it4 ,what         
distresses1  diseases1 or death1 can    
stand before it8 ,surely ,i live by     
prayer1  prayer hath given a            
resurrection to this body of mine1 when 
physicians  and friends had given up    
their hopes4    ,o infinite love never  
to be comprehended1 but ever to be      
admired1  magnified1 and adored by every
 creature6 ,o let my heart be filled1   
let my mouth be filled1 let my papers be
 filled with the thankful  commemoration
 of this matchless love4 ,o turn your   

eyes from other  objects6 ,o bury me in 
forgetfulness1 and let my love be no    
more  mentioned nor had in remembrance  
among you1 so you be throughly          
possessed and inflamed with the love of 
,god4 ,see that you study this4  ,fill  
your souls with wonder1 and be ravished 
with this love3 take your  daily walk1  
and lose yourselves in the field of     
love4 ,o that your souls  may be drowned
 in the love of ,christ1 'till you say  
with the spouse1  ,i am sick of love4   
,who in all the earth should admire and 
commend  this love1 if ,i should not8 ,i
 feel it1 ,i taste it1 the sweet savour 
thereof reviveth my soul2 it is light to
 mine eyes1 and life to mine  heart2 the
 warm beams of this blessed sun1 ,o how 
have they comforted  me1 ravished1 and  
refreshed me both in body and soul6 ,now
 my own hands  can feed me1 and my own  
feet can bear me1 my appetite is quick1 
my  sleep comfortable1 and ,god is      
pleased to give some increase           
continually  though by insensible       

degrees3 and shall not ,i praise that   
love which  hath done all this for me8  
,my heart is enlarged2 but ,i told you  
paper  could not hold what ,i have to   
speak of the goodness of the            
all-gracious  ,god1 in which ,i live4   
,the grace of our ,lord ,jesus be with  
you all4  ,farewell in the ,lord1 ,i    
remain                      ,your       
unworthy minister and servent           
,well-wisher in the ,lord1              
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xxiii4           ,to the     
servants of ,christ in ,huntingdon1     
grace and peace4    ,most dear          
,christians1    ,i ,,thankfully         
acknowledge1 both to ,god and you1 that 
,i am many ways  obliged to love and    
serve you1 and surely1 when the ,lord   
shall turn  our captivity1 ,i will      
7through his grace7 endeavour to shew   
myself  thankful4 ,i am the more        
sensible of your great love1 because ,i 
cannot  be insensible how little ,i have
 been able to do to oblige you4 ,able1  

,i  say1 for ,i am sure ,i have been    
willing to be much more serviceable4    
,but  now letters and prayers are all   
that ,i have for you3 of these ,i shall 
be ready to be prodigal4 ,i fervently   
pray1 and do not doubt to speed1  that  
you may reap in grace and glory1 what   
you have sown in bounty4  ,verily1 there
 is a reward for the righteous4 ,ah how 
sure is it6 ,and  how great1 and how    
near6    ,come on1 my dear brethren and 
fellow-travellers4 ,stir up yourselves  
and set to your race4 ,see that you     
loiter not1 but speed in your holy      
course4 ,what1 tire by the way1 or think
 of looking back when heaven  is the    
prize8 ,god forbid4 ,to him that soweth 
righteousness there shall  be a sure    
reward4 ,what though it should seem     
slow8 ,as long as it is so  sure1 and so
 great1 never be discouraged4 ,in the   
end you shall reap1 if  you faint not4  
,wait but awhile1 and you shall have a  
blessed harvest4  ,the ,lord speaks to  
the ,christian1 as he to his creditor in

 another  case1 ,have patience with me1 
and ,i will pay thee all4 ,oh for faith 
and patience6 ,how safely will these    
carry us to the harbour1 thro' all      
difficulties4    ,brethren1 be ye       
followers of them1 who thro' faith and  
patience inherit  the promises4 ,it is  
want of patience that undoes the world4 
,patience  ,i mean1 not so much in the  
bearing the afflictive evil1 as in      
waiting  for the deferred good4 ,if the 
reward of religion were in hand1 who    
would not be religious8 ,but the ,lord  
deals all upon trust1 and on that       
account is but little dealt with4 ,you  
must plow and sow1 and wait for  the    
return of all at the harvest1 when this 
life is ended4 ,they that  like not     
religion upon these terms1 may see where
 they can mend their  markets4 ,but you1
 my brethren1 be stedfast1 unmovable1   
abounding in  the work of the ,lord2 for
 as much as ye know your labour shall   
not be  in vain in the ,lord4 ,wait a   
little2 there is but a short life       

between  you1 and the blessed           
inheritance of glory4 ,ah wretched      
unbelievers6  ,how worthy are you to be 
shut for ever out of the kingdom1 that  
did  so undervalue all the glory that   
,god had promised1 as not to count it   
sufficient to pay you for a little      
waiting8 ,beloved1 lift up your eyes1   
and behold your inheritance1 the good   
land that is beyond ,jordan1 and  that  
goodly mountain4 ,the promises are a map
 of heaven4 ,do but view  it believingly
 and considerately1 as it is drawn      
there1 and tell me1  what think you of  
that worthy portion1 that goodly        
heritage8 ,will not  all this make you  
amends for your stay8 ,why then act like
 believers4  ,never think much of the   
pains and expences of religion4 ,let no 
man  think he shall come off a loser4   
,what though you are much upon the      
spending hand8 ,god is before-hand with 
you however3 but ,i would have  you     
principally to look forward4 ,it is much
 that ,god hath laid out upon  you2 but 

who can tell what he hath laid up for   
them that fear him8 ,and  will you miss 
of all for want of patience8 ,god       
forbid4    ,behold1 the husbandman      
waiteth for the precious fruits of the  
earth1  and hath long patience1 'till he
 receive the early and latter rain4  ,be
 ye also patient1 stablish your hearts1 
for the coming of the ,lord  draweth    
nigh4 ,what1 shall the husbandman have  
more patience for the  fruits of the    
earth1 than you for the precious fruits 
of your faith8  ,the husbandman hath no 
such certainty as you3 he hath but a    
probability  of an harvest1 and yet he  
hath patience2 he is content to venture4
  ,he is at great pains1 and much cost2 
he is still laying out1 and hath        
nothing coming in1 and yet he is content
 to wait for his reimbursement1  'till  
the corn be grown4 ,but your harvest is 
more sure1 as sure as the  infallible   
promise1 the immutable oath of ,god4    
,again1 the husbandman hath no such     
increase to look for as you4 ,if he     

were sure1 that every corn would bear a 
crown1 with what joy1 rather  than      
patience1 would he go through all his   
cost and labour8 ,why1  brethren1 such  
is a believer's increase4 ,every grain  
shall produce a  crown2 and every tear  
shall bring forth a pearl2 and every    
minute in  pains or prayers1 an age of  
joy and glory4 ,beside1 the husbandman  
hath  long patience1 and will not you   
have a little patience8 ,it is not long 
patience that ,god doth expect of you3  
for behold the coming of the ,lord      
draweth nigh4 ,will the garrison yield  
when relief is at hand8 ,or the         
merchant give up his hopes1 when within 
sight of the harbour8 ,or will  the     
husbandman give up all for lost1 when he
 sees the fields white for  harvest8    
,and shall he do more for a crop of     
corn1 than you will do for  a crop of   
glory8 ,far be it4 ,behold the ,judge is
 at the door4 ,the ,lord  is at hand4   
,he cometh quickly1 and his reward is   
with him4 ,he comes  with the crown in  

his hand1 to set upon the head of       
patience4 ,therefore  cast not away your
 confidence1 which hath great recompence
 of reward4  ,the prisoners of the      
,lord1 your brethren in the patience of 
,jesus1 can  tell you1 it is good       
suffering for such a master4    ,we must
 tell you1 as they said to our ,lord in 
another case1 ,he is  worthy for whom   
you should do this4 ,god is beyond      
measure gracious to  us here4 ,he shines
 bright into our prison4 ,he waters us  
from heaven and  earth4 ,as we trust1   
you forget not the poor prisoners1 when 
you pray1  so we would that many        
thanksgivings should abound in our      
behalf4 ,and  prayer being the only key 
that can open our prisons1 we trust you 
will  pray and not faint4 ,farewell1    
dear brethren1 ,fare ye well in the     
,lord1  ,i am1                 ,an      
unworthy embassador of ,jesus1 in bonds1
                                        
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,from the ,prison
 at ,ivelchester1      ,october #bh1    

#affc4                                  
,,letter ,,xxiv4                        
,to his wife4      ,my most dear        
,theodosia1    ,,thou seemest to have   
been long from me2 let nothing any      
longer detain  thee1 but my sister's    
necessity1 or father's authority4 ,i am 
in a  comfortable state of health1      
through divine goodness1 to which be    
glory  for ever4 ,see that thou love and
 admire that fountain of our life1  and 
peace3 and be ever mindful that 'tis all
 thy business to love1 and  serve1 and  
praise thy ,creator and ,redeemer4 ,i   
have no other business  but this to     
write to thee about3 but this is all our
 business4 ,what we  use to call        
business is but vanity and pastime in   
comparison of this4  ,remember that 'tis
 thy one end1 to glorify ,god1 and enjoy
 him for ever4  ,learn well that lesson1
 and know1 that it is the only thing    
necessary4  ,every morning remember that
 thy serving and pleasing ,god is the   
whole  business of that day1 and        

therefore set out accordingly with an   
express  design and intention to please 
,god in thy eating1 drinking1 visiting1 
conversing1 and duties throughout the   
day4 ,my most dear heart1 ,i have       
nothing in the world that doth concern  
thee1 or me so much to write  of to     
thee1 as this4 ,oh that thou mayst still
 be laying up in heaven6  ,still        
furthering thy account2 still adding to 
the heap1 and increasing  thy glorious  
reward8 ,nothing is done for ,god1 but  
thou shalt hear of  it again4 ,what is  
not done for ,god1 is but so much lost4 
,those things  which others do1 being   
led by their natural affections and     
desires1  those things do thou with holy
 aims1 for spiritual ends1 and then     
,god will put it on the account1 as so  
much done for him4 ,so it is1 my        
dearest1 ,god keeps a true account4 ,see
 that thou believe it1 and so  plough in
 hope1 and sow in hope1 pray and hear   
with an eye to the sure  reward4 ,let   
thy hopes be strong and lively1 and then

 thy hands will be  strong1 and thy     
resolutions and affections will be      
strong4 ,my time is  very precious1 and 
,i would not lose an inch of it4 ,see   
thou to it1 that  my time in writing    
this letter be not lost time4 ,love ,god
 the more1 and  set thy heart the       
straiter towards him1 and practise this 
one thing1 in  every action look to thy 
end1 and then ,i have got well1 and thou
 better  by these counsels4 ,my dearest1
 ,i love thee in truth and tenderness1  
but  my love signifies little1 unless it
 serve thine eternal good4              
,i rest thine own1                      
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,to his wife4    ,my dear heart1        
99,,my heart is now a little at rest to 
write to thee4 ,i have been these  three
 days much disturbed4 ,strong           
sollicitations ,i have had from  several
 hands1 to accept very honourable       
preferment2 but ,i have not  found the  
invitations to suit with the            
inclinations of my own heart1 as  ,i was

 confident they would not with thine4 ,i
 have sent away my friends  satisfied   
with the reasons of my refusal1 and now 
can say1 ,soul1  return unto thy rest4  
,but alas1 that such things should      
disturb me6  ,i would live above this   
lower region1 that no passages          
whatsoever  might put me out of frame1  
or unsettle me from my desired rest4 ,i 
would  have my heart fixed upon ,god1 so
 as no occurrences might disturb my     
tranquility1 but ,i might be still in   
the same quiet and even frame4  ,well1  
though ,i am apt to be unsettled1 yet ,i
 am like a bird out of the  nest1 ,i am 
never at quiet till ,i am in my old way 
of communion with ,god2  like the needle
 in the compass1 that is restless1 till 
it be turned  towards the pole4    ,i   
can say through grace1 with my soul have
 ,i desired thee in the night1  and with
 my spirit within me have ,i sought thee
 early2 my heart is  early and late with
 ,god1 'tis the business and delight of 
my life to  seek him4 ,but alas1 how    

long shall ,i spend my days in wishing1 
when  my glorified brethren spend theirs
 in enjoying8 ,as the poor imprisoned   
captive sighs under his irons1 and can  
only look through the grate1 and  long  
for the liberty which others enjoy3 such
 is my condition4 ,i can  only look     
through the grate of this prison1 my    
flesh2 ,i see ,abraham1  and ,isaac1 and
 ,jacob1 sitting down in the kingdom of 
,god4 ,but alas1  ,i myself must stand  
without1 longing1 praying1 waiting1 for 
what they  are enjoying4 ,happy souls6  
,when shall these fetters of mine be    
knocked  off8 ,when shall ,i be set at  
liberty from this prison of my body8    
,you  are cloathed with glory1 when ,i  
am cloathed with dust4 ,i dwell in      
flesh1  in a house of clay1 when you    
dwell with ,god in a house not made with
  hands1 eternal in the heavens4    ,i  
must be continually clogged with this   
cumbersome body1 when you have  put on  
incorruption and immortality4 ,what     
continual molestation am ,i  subject to 

by reason of this flesh8 ,what pains    
doth it cost me to keep  this earthen   
vessel from breaking6 ,it must be       
exercised2 and which is  worst of all1  
cherished with time-devouring sleep2 so 
that ,i live but  little of the short   
time ,i have allotted me here4 ,but oh  
blessed souls1  you are swallowed up of 
immortality and life1 your race is run1 
and  you have received your crown4 ,how 
cautious must ,i be to keep me from     
dangers6 ,how apt am ,i to be troubled  
with the cares and fears of this  life1 
when your souls are taken up with ,god  
and ,christ1 and 'tis your  work to be  
still contemplating1 and admiring that  
love that redeemed  you from all this4  
,what pains must ,i be at to repair the 
ruinous  building of this earthly       
tabernacle1 which when ,i have done1 ,i 
am sure  will shortly fall about my     
ears2 when you are got far above        
mortality1  and are made equal with the 
angels4 ,oh6 ,i groan earnestly to be   
cloathed upon with my house which is    

from heaven1 being willing rather  to be
 absent from the body and present with  
the ,lord6 ,oh1 when shall  ,i come and 
appear before him8 ,when shall ,i       
receive the purchase of my  ,saviour1   
the fruit of my prayers1 the harvest of 
my labours1 the end of  my faith1 the   
salvation of my soul8 ,alas1 what do ,i 
here8 ,this is not  my resting place1 my
 treasure is in heaven4 ,oh when shall  
,i be where  my heart is8 ,wo is me that
 dwell in the tents of ,kedar6 ,oh that 
,i had  wings like a dove1 that ,i might
 fly away and be at rest6 ,then would ,i
  hasten my escape from the storm and   
tempest1 and be out of the reach of     
fears1 disturbances1 and distractions4  
,how long shall ,i live at such a       
distance from my ,god1 at such a        
distance from my country8 ,alas1 how can
  ,i sing the ,lord's song in a strange 
land8 ,no1 ,i will hang my harp upon    
the willows1 and sit down and weep when 
,i remember ,sion4 ,but yet my  flesh   
shall rest in hope1 and ,i will daily   

bathe my soul in the sweet  thoughts of 
my blessed home4 ,i will rejoice in     
hopes of what ,i do not  yet enjoy1 and 
content myself with the taste of what ,i
 shall shortly  have my fill of4    ,the
 ,lord grant the request ,i daily pour  
out before him1 and make us             
furtherances to each other's soul1 that 
we may quicken and promote and  forward 
one another in his ways6 ,help me by thy
 prayers1 as thou dost  always4 ,the    
,god of all peace and comfort be with   
thee my sweet love6  ,farewell6         
,thine beyond expression1               
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xxvi4                        
,god is a satisfying ,portion4      ,my 
most dear friend1    ,,had not my right 
hand long since forgot her cunning1 and 
the ,almighty  shook the pen out of my  
hand1 ,i should long e'er this have     
written to  thee2 but it is a wonder of 
divine power and goodness that my soul  
had  not before this time dwelt in      
silence1 and that death had not put the 

long period to all my writing and       
converse4    ,long is the song of love  
that ,i have to tell thee4 ,i rejoice in
 the  constancy of thy love1 that the   
waters of so long a silence1 and so     
great a distance have not yet quenched  
it4 ,but thy desires are towards  me1   
and thy heart is with me1 though        
providence hath hindered me from  thy   
much-desired company4 ,i will assure    
thee it hath been a pleasure  to my     
heart a good part of this summer1 to    
hope that ,i should come  one half of   
the way to give thee a meeting4 ,but    
such is my weakness  hitherto1 that ,i  
am forced to put off those hopes till   
the spring1 when1  if ,god gives me     
strength to ride1 ,i intend to see thee 
before mine own  home4 ,i thank thee for
 all the dear expressions of thy fervent
 love3 my  expences have been vast2 but 
surely goodness and mercy hath followed 
me1  and do follow me in every place1   
and in every change of my condition2  so
 that as to temporals1 ,i have lack of  

nothing1 and as for spirituals  ,i      
abound and superabound1 and the streams 
of my comforts have been  full and      
running over4 ,the joy of the ,lord hath
 been my strength at the  weakest1 and  
in the multitude of my thoughts within  
me1 his comforts  have refreshed my     
soul4 ,i have found ,god a satisfying   
portion to me1  and have sat under his  
shadow with full delights1 and his fruit
 is most  sweet to my taste3 he is my   
strength and my song1 for ,i will talk  
of  him1 and write of him with perpetual
 pleasure4 ,through grace ,i can say1   
methinks ,i am now in my element1 since 
,i have begun to make mention  of him1  
,i am rich in him and happy in him1 and 
my soul saith unto him  with ,david1    
,thou hast made me most blessed for ever
 more4 ,happy is  the hour that ever ,i 
was born1 to be made partaker of so     
blissful a  treasure1 so endless a      
felicity1 such angelical a prerogative1 
as ,i  have in him3 ,o how sweet are his
 converses1 how delightful it is to     

triumph in his love4         duplicate  
word 8and0 removed    ,methinks the     
story of the lepers comes not unaptly to
 my mind1 who said  one to another when 
they had eat and drunk and carried away 
silver and  gold and raiment1 and went  
and hid it1 ,we do not well2 this day is
 a  day of good tidings1 and we hold our
 peace4 ,it is fit that ,i should be    
cloathed with shame2 ,i acknowledge     
before ,god1 who trieth the hearts ,i   
am unworthy1 everlastingly unworthy4    
,but it is not fit that he should  lose 
his praise2 nay rather let him be the   
more adored1 and magnified  and admired 
for ever and ever4 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o 
my soul1 bless the  ,lord1 ,o my friend2
 let us exalt his name together4 ,he is 
my solace  in my solitude2 he is my     
standing comforter1 my tried friend1 my 
sure  refuge1 my safe retreat2 he is my 
paradise1 he is my heaven2 and my  heart
 is at rest in him3 and ,i will sit and 
sing under his shadow1 as a  bird among 
the branches4 ,and whither should ,i go 

but unto him8 ,shall ,i  leave the      
fatness of the olive1 and the sweetness 
of the fig-tree1 and  of the vine1 and  
go and put my trust under the shadow of 
the bramble8  ,no1 ,i have made my      
everlasting choice3 this is my rest for 
ever1 he  is my well-beloved1 in whom ,i
 am well-pleased4 ,suffer me to boast a 
little3 here ,i may glory without       
vanity1 and ,i can praise him without   
end or measure2 but ,i have nothing to  
say of myself3 ,i find thou dost        
over-value me2 set the crown upon the   
head of ,christ2 let nothing  be great  
with thee but him1 give him the glory4  
,god that knoweth all  things1 knoweth  
my poverty1 how little1 how low1 and how
 mean ,i am1 and  how short ,i come of  
the attainments of the saints1 who yet  
themselves  come so exceedingly short of
 the rule that ,god hath set before us4 
,i  often think of the complaint of the 
devout ,monsieur ,de ,renty ,i feel     
myself very poor this week2 and very    
defective in the love of ,god2 if  you  

would know wherein you can pleasure me1 
love ,god more3 that what  is wanting in
 me may be made up in the abundance of  
your love3 in this  thou mayest highly  
pleasure me3 love ,god a little the     
better1 praise  him a little the more   
for my sake2 let me have this to please 
myself in1  that ,god is a little the   
better loved for me1 and that ,i have   
blowed up1  if it be but one spark of   
divine love in the bosom of my dearest  
friend1  towards him4    ,thy cautions  
are acceptable to me1 ,i desire to      
provide for manifold  changes and       
storms4 ,i know ,i am not yet in the    
harbour2 ,o pray with me  that ,i may   
not enter into temptation2 for ,i am    
very weak in spirit1 as  well as in     
body1 ,god knoweth4 ,somewhere or other 
,i must break off1 and  thou wilt say1  
it is time to shut up4 ,for once only   
know1 that ,i am thy  daily orator1 and 
will be whilst ,i am4 ,and yet once     
more1 ,i must have  room to add my      
thankful acknowledgment of thine4 ,with 

our most dear  affections to you both1  
,i commend you to the ,god of love1     
still abiding1                          
,thy fast and sure                      
,,friend4      ,bath1 ,october #ab1     
#affh4                                  
,,letter ,,xxvii4      ,dear ,cousin1   
,,the welcome tidings of your safe      
arrival at ,barbadoes is come to my     
ears2 as also the news of your escape   
from a perilous sickness1 for  which ,i 
bless the ,lord4 ,i have considered1    
that ,god had bereft you of  a careful  
father1 and that your mother takes but  
little care for you2  so that you have  
none nearer than myself to watch for    
your soul1 and to  charge and admonish  
you in the ,lord4    ,but yet1 be not   
discouraged by these things1 but look to
 heaven1  fly unto ,jesus1 put away     
every known sin1 set upon the           
conscientious  performance of every     
known duty2 make ,christ your choice1   
embrace him  upon his own terms2 deliver
 up yourself1 body and soul to him3 see 

that  you have no reserves nor          
limitations in your choice of him2 give 
him  your very heart2 cast away your    
worldly hopes and expectations1 make    
religion your business4    ,these things
 do1 and you shall be sure of a friend  
in heaven2 and1 if  ,i may be any       
comfort to you1 you shall not fail1     
while ,i live1 to have  one friend on   
earth to care for you4 ,you are gone far
 from me1 even to  the uttermost parts  
of the earth3 but ,i have sent these    
letters to call  after you2 yea1 not    
only to call1 but to cry in your ears4  
,o what is  like to become of your soul6
 ,where is that immortal soul of yours  
like  to be lodged for ever8 ,amongst   
devils or angels8 ,upon a bed of flames1
  or in the joys of paradise8    ,go    
aside2 retire from the noise of the     
world1 and say to yourself1  ,oh my     
soul6 ,whither art thou going8 ,do not  
,i know1 that ,i must be  converted or  
condemned8 ,that ,i must be sanctified1 
or ,i can never be  saved8 ,oh my soul6 

,what seekest thou8 ,what is my chief   
care8 ,is it  for this world1 or the    
world to come8 ,do ,i first seek the    
kingdom of  heaven1 and the             
righteousness thereof8 ,do ,i think     
heaven will drop into  my mouth8 ,that  
glory and immortality will be got with a
 wet finger1  with cold prayers1 and    
heartless wishes1 while the world has my
 heart8  ,do ,i think to be crowned1 and
 yet never fight8 ,to gain the race and 
never run8 ,to enter at the strait gate1
 and never strive8 ,to overcome         
principalities and powers1 and never    
wrestle8 ,no1 no2 ,oh my soul1  either  
lay by the hopes of heaven for ever1 or 
rouse up thyself1 put  forth thy        
strength after ,god and glory4 ,either  
lay by thy worldly hopes1  or thy hopes 
of immortality2 away with thy sins1 or  
let ,christ go for  ever4 ,think not to 
have ,christ and the world too1 to serve
 ,god and  mammon3 if thou follow the   
world1 thou must die3 the ,lord hath    
spoken  it1 and all the world can never 

reverse it4 ,thus reason the case with  
your own soul1 and give not rest to     
thyself night nor day1 till you  are    
gotten off from the world1 broken off   
from every known sin1 and got  safe into
 ,christ4    ,dear cousin1 ,i charge you
 by the ,lord1 to observe these things4 
,pray  over them1 weep over them1 read  
them again and again2 do not pass  them 
over as slight and ordinary things4     
,your soul is at stake2 it is  your     
salvation which is concerned in them2   
think not that ,i am in jest  with you4 
,i travel in birth with you1 till       
,christ be formed in you4  ,why should  
you die8 ,oh repent and live1 lay hold  
on eternal life1 win  ,christ1 and you  
win all4 ,oh be thankful to the ,lord1  
that now you are  fatherless and        
friendless1 yet you have one            
remembrancer to warn you to  flee from  
the wrath to come4 ,god forbid that ,i  
should find you at last  in the place of
 torments1 for your not embracing these 
counsels4 ,to  conclude1 ,i charge you  

as a minister1 as a father1 take heed of
 these  three things3    #a4 ,lest the  
gain of the world prove the loss of your
 soul3    #b4 ,lest company draw you    
from ,god3    #c4 ,lest a lofty or a    
worldly heart should thrust you out of  
the  kingdom of heaven4    ,oh labour   
whatever you do for an humble heart4 ,be
 little1 be vile in  your own eyes2 seek
 not after great things2 be poor in     
spirit3 without  this1 heaven will be no
 place for you4 ,your lot is fallen in a
 place  of great wickedness1 where your 
soul is in much danger1 where your      
temptations are many1 and your helps for
 heaven but few3 where good  examples   
are rare1 and many will entice you to   
sin and vanity4 ,o6  look about you1    
consider your danger1 fear lest you     
should miscarry for  ever4 ,i can but   
warn you and pray for you3 but though   
you have none to  oversee you1 remember 
the eye of ,god is upon you1 to observe 
all your  actions1 and that he will     
surely bring all your practices into    

judgment4  ,i commend you to the ,lord1 
and remain1                       ,your 
loving and careful uncle1               
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,august #ai1     
#affh4         8yo0 replaced with 8you0 
,,letter ,,xxviii4      ,dear friend1   
99,,your letter was exceeding welcome to
 me1 not only as reviving the           
remembrance of our old friendship1 but  
also1 as bringing me news of  some      
spiritual good that you received by me1 
which is the best tidings  that ,i can  
receive3 ,for what do ,i live for1 but  
to be useful to souls  in my generation8
 99,i desire no other business than to  
please and honour  my ,god1 and serve my
 generation in that short allowance of  
time ,i have  here4 ,shall ,i commend to
 you the lesson that ,i am about to     
learn8 ,it is1  to be entirely devoted  
to the ,lord1 that ,i may be able to say
 after  the apostle1 ,to me to live is  
,christ4 ,i would not be serving ,god   
only  for a day in the week1 or an hour 
or two in the day3 but every day1  and  

all the day4 ,i am ambitious to come up 
to that of our ,lord and  ,master1 ,to  
do always those things that please ,god4
 ,i plainly see that  self-seeking is   
self-undoing2 and that then we promote  
ourselves best1  when we please ,god    
most4 ,i find1 that when ,i have done   
all1 if ,god be  not pleased1 ,i have   
done nothing2 and if ,i can but approve 
myself to  ,god1 my work is done3 ,i    
,,reckon ,i ,,do ,,not ,,live ,,that    
,,time ,i ,,do ,,not ,,live ,,to  ,,god4
    99,i am fain to cut off so many     
hours from my days1 and so many years   
from my life1 as ,i have lived to       
myself4 ,i find no enemy so dangerous   
as myself1 and ,o that others may take  
warning by my hurt3 ,o that ,i  had     
lived wholly to ,god6 ,then had every   
day and every hour that ,i have  spent1 
been found upon my account at that day3 
then had ,i been rich  indeed1 in       
treasure laid up there1 whither ,i am   
apace removing2 then  ,i had been every 
day and hour adding to the heap1 and    

increasing the  reward which ,god of his
 mere grace hath promised1 even to the  
meanest  work that is done to him4 ,i   
perceive ,i am an eternal loser by      
acting no  more for ,god2 for what is   
done to myself is lost2 but what is done
 for  ,god1 is done for ever1 and shall 
receive an everlasting reward4 ,verily1 
if there be a world to come1 and an     
eternal state after this short life1  it
 is our only wisdom to be removing1 and1
 as it were transplanting and           
transporting what we can1 from hence    
into that country to which we are       
shortly to be removed1 that what we are 
now doing we may reap the fruit  of for 
ever4    ,well1 let us be wholly        
swallowed up in religion1 and know no   
other  interest but ,jesus ,christ4 ,i  
cannot say1 ,i have already attained2   
but  this is what my heart is set to    
learn4 ,that in all that ,i do1 whether 
sacred or civil actions1 still ,i may be
 doing but one work1 and driving  on one
 design1 ,that ,god may be pleased by   

me1 and glorified in me2  ,that not only
 my praying1 preaching1 alms1 may be    
found upon my account2  but even my     
eating1 drinking1 sleeping1 visits1     
discourses1 because  they are done to   
,god4 ,too often do ,i miss my mark2 but
 ,i will tell you  what are the rules ,i
 set myself3 ,never to lie down but in  
the name of  ,god2 nor barely for       
natural refreshment1 but that a wearied 
servant  of ,christ may be recruited and
 fitted to serve him better the next    
day4  ,never to rise up but with this   
resolution1 ,i will go forth this day   
in the name of ,god1 and will make      
religion my business1 and spend the  day
 for eternity4 ,never to enter upon my  
calling1 but first thinking1 ,i  will do
 these things as unto ,god1 because he  
requireth these things at  my hands1 in 
the place and station he hath put me    
into4 ,never to sit  down to the table1 
but resolving1 ,i will not eat meerly to
 please my  appetite1 but to strengthen 
myself for my ,master's work4 ,never to 

make  a visit1 but to leave something of
 ,god where ,i go2 and in every company 
to leave some good savor behind4 ,this  
is that which ,i am pressing hard       
after3 and if ,i strive not to walk by  
these rules1 let this paper be a        
witness against me4    ,i perceive you  
are otherwise persuaded in some things  
than ,i am3 but  however1 ,i trust we   
meet in our end4 ,may it be your whole  
study to gain  souls1 and to build them 
up in holiness1 which is with too many  
the  least of their cares4 ,one duty    
7miserably neglected7 ,i shall be bold  
to  recommend from my own experience1   
and that is1 the visiting your whole    
flock from house to house1 and enquiring
 into their spiritual estates           
particularly1 and dealing plainly and   
truly with them about their  conversion 
to ,god4    ,you see how free ,i am with
 you3 but ,i know your candour4 ,i      
rejoice in  your happy yoke-fellow3     
salute her from your old friend1 and    
accept of  the unfeigned respects of him

 who is1 ,sir1                          
,your real and faithful friend1         
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,,letter ,,xxix4                        
,to a minister in prison4      ,worthy  
,sir1    ,,it was but a little after my 
release from my own confinement1 but ,i 
heard of yours3 and now write to you1 as
 one that hath taken a higher  degree   
than ever1 being commenced prisoner of  
,christ4 ,i was once  affected with the 
picture of a devout man1 to whom a voice
 came down  from heaven1 saying1 ,quid  
vis fieri pro te8 ,to which he answered1
  ,nihil domine1 nifi pati ac contemini 
pro te4 ,undoubtedly1 ,sir1 it  is our  
real glory to be throughout conformed to
 ,jesus ,christ1 not only  in his       
sanctity1 but in his sufferings4 ,i     
doubt not your consolations  in ,christ 
superabound in all your tribulations for
 him4 ,yet let me add  this1 that you   
have a whole shoal of promises come in  
to you1 which you  had not before2 ,i   
mean all the promises to suffering      

saints1 in which  they have not so      
immediate a part1 unless in a suffering 
state4 ,and  doubtless he hath got well1
 that hath gotten such a number of      
exceeding  great and precious promises4 
,i can tell you little good of myself3  
but this ,i can tell you1 that  the     
promises of ,god were never so sweet to 
me1 as since my imprisoned  state4 ,it  
shames me that ,i have let such a       
treasure lie by so long1  and have made 
so little use of it4 ,never did my soul 
know the heaven of  a believer's life1  
till ,i learnt to live a life of praise1
 and to set  home the unspeakable riches
 of the divine promises1 to which1      
through  grace1 ,i am made an heir4 ,i  
verily perceive that all our work were  
done1 if we could but prevail with      
ourselves and others to live like       
believers2 to tell all the world by our 
carriage1 that there is such            
pleasantness in ,christ's ways1 such    
beauty in holiness1 such reward to      
obedience1 as we profess to believe6    

,it is but a little while that prisons  
shall hold us1 or that we shall  dwell  
in dirty flesh4 ,porphyry tells us of   
,plotinus1 that he was  ashamed to see  
himself in the body2 to see a divine and
 immortal soul  in a prison of flesh    
7for so they held the body to be27 but  
the worst  shackles are those of sin4   
,well1 they must shortly fall off2 our  
,lord  doth not long intend us for this 
lower region3 surely he is gone to      
prepare a place for us3 yea1 and he will
 come again1 and receive us to  himself1
 that where he is1 we may be also4 ,and 
what have we to do1 but  to believe1 and
 wait1 and love1 and long1 and look out 
for his coming1  in which is all our    
hope8 ',twill be time enough for us to  
be preferred  then4 ,we know before hand
 who shall then be uppermost4 ,our ,lord
 hath  shewed us where our places shall 
be1 even at his own right hand2 and     
what he will say to us1 ,come ye        
blessed4 ,surely we shall stand in  his 
judgment3 he hath promised to stand our 

friend3 let us look for the  joyful day3
 and sure as there is a ,god1 this day  
will come1 and then  it shall go well   
with us4 ,what if bonds and banishment  
abide us for  a season8 ,this is nothing
 but what our ,lord hath told us1 ,the  
world  shall rejoice1 but ye shall      
lament3 ye shall be sorrowful1 but your 
sorrow shall be turned into joy4 ,oh how
 reviving are his words6 ,i  will see   
you again1 and your heart shall rejoice1
 and your joy no man  taketh from you4  
,if that miserable wretch leapt         
chearfully off the ladder1 saying1 ,i   
shall be a queen in hell3 with what joy 
should we do and suffer for  ,god1      
knowing that we shall be crowned in     
heaven8 ,they are wonderful             
preparations that are making for us3 the
 ,lord make us meet to be  partakers4   
99,it was the highest commendation that 
ever that worthy  ,r4 ,baxter received1 
which fell from his scoffing adversary  
,tilenus1  ,totum1 puritanismum totus   
spirat4 ,oh that this may be true of us 

and  ours6    ,let your true            
yoke-fellow1 and my ,christian friends  
with you1 have my  hearty commendation3 
and these counsels ,i pray you give them
 from me4    #a4 ,to habituate          
themselves1 both as to their thoughts   
and discourses1  more throughly than    
ever to holiness4 ,brethren1 ,i would   
teach you  the lesson that ,i resolve to
 learn1 that your minds and tongues may 
as naturally run upon the things of     
heaven1 as others on the things of  this
 world4 ,why should it not be thus8 ,i  
am sure ,god and heaven as well  deserve
 to be thought on1 and talked of as     
froth and vanity4 ,there are  many that 
have in a great measure learnt this     
lesson1 and why should  not we8 ,what if
 it be hard at first8 ,every thing is so
 to a beginner4  ,and is not ours a     
religion of self-denial8 ,if we do but  
force ourselves  awhile to holy         
thoughts1 and heavenly discourse1 it    
will grow habitual  to us1 and then it  
will be most natural1 familiar1 and     

sweet4 ,o what  gainers will you be1 if 
you learn this lesson8    ',tis the     
shame of religion1 that ,christians are 
so unlike themselves1  unless upon their
 knees4 ,our lives and language should  
tell the world  what we are1 and whither
 we are going4 ,christians1 let little  
things  content you in the world1 but   
aspire after great things in the grace  
of ,god4 ,many little think what high   
degrees of holiness they may grow  up to
 even in this life with pains and       
diligence4 ,sirs1 be you men  of great  
designs3 think it not enough if you have
 wherewith to bear  your charges to     
heaven2 but aspire to be great in the   
court of heaven1  favourites of the     
,most ,high1 of tall growth1 singular   
communion1  that you may burn and shine 
in your place1 that you may savour of   
heaven wherever you come1 and that there
 may be an even-spun thread  of holiness
 running through your whole course4     
',tis our disgrace1 that  there is so   
little difference to be seen in the     

ordinary conversation  of believers and 
other men4 ,is it not a shame1 that when
 we are in  company with others1 this   
should be all the difference that is to 
be  seen1 that we will not curse and    
swear8 ,if you will honour the gospel1  
bring forth your religion out of your   
closets into your shops1 trades1        
visits1 and exemplify the rules of      
religion in the management of all  your 
relations1 and in your ordinary         
converse4 ,let there be no place  or    
company that you come into1 in which you
 do not drop something of  ,god2 this   
will be the glory of religion1 and we   
shall never convince  the world 'till we
 come to this4 ,may you come1 my        
brethren1 out of your  prisons with your
 faces shining1 having your minds       
seasoned1 and your  tongues tipt with   
holiness6 ,may your mouths be as a well 
of life1 from  whence may flow the holy 
streams of edifying discourse6 ,may you 
ever  remember1 as you are sitting in   
your houses1 going by the way1 lying    

down1 rising up1 what the ,lord doth    
then require of you4    #b4 ,to improve 
their present retirements from the      
world1 for the  settling their spiritual
 estates4 ',tis a common complaint      
amongst  ,christians1 that they want    
assurance4 ,oh1 if any of you that      
wanted  assurance when you came to      
prison1 may carry that blessing out1    
what  happy gainers would you be8 ,now  
you are called more than ever to        
self-searching4 ,now bring your graces  
to the touchstone4 ,be much in  self    
observation4 ,rest not in probable      
hopes4 ,think not that it is  enough    
that you can say1 you hope 'tis well4   
,be restless till you can  say1 that you
 know 'tis well2 that you know you are  
passed from death  to life4    99,think 
not that this is a privilege that only a
 few may expect4 ,observe  but these    
three things3    #a4 ,to take heed of   
laying the marks of salvation either too
 high or  too low2    #b4 ,to be much in
 observing the frame1 and bent1 and     

workings of your  own heart3    #c4 ,to 
be universally conscientious1 and to be 
constant in even and  close walking1 and
 then ,i doubt not but you will have a  
settled  assurance1 and know and feel   
that peace of ,god that passeth all     
understanding4    ,i wish your prison   
may be a paradise of peace1 and a       
,patmos of divine  discoveries1 ,lord   
,jesus set to thy ,amen4 ,i am1 ,sir1   
,your unworthy brother and companion in 
the                      kingdom and    
patience of ,jesus1                     
,,jos4 ,,alleine4      ,january #aj1    
#affd4                                  
,,letter ,,xxx4                 ,to the 
most beloved people1 the servants of    
,god                         in         
,taunton1 salvation4    ,most dearly    
beloved and longed for1    my joy and   
crown4    ,,my heart's desire and prayer
 for you is1 that you may be saved4     
,this  is that which ,i have been       
praying and studying1 and preaching for 
these  many years3 and this is the end  

of my suffering1 and writing at this    
present time4 ,i seek not other gifts1  
give me your hearts1 let me but  part   
between your sins and you3 suffer me but
 to save you2 give me  leave to carry   
you over to ,jesus ,christ1 and ,i will 
not ask you any  more4 ,i will serve you
 gladly1 ,i will suffer for you         
thankfully1 so ,i  may but save you4 ,do
 not wonder why ,i follow you so        
pressingly1 why ,i  call upon you so    
frequently2 let not my importunity be   
grievous to you1  all this is but to    
save you4 ,christ did not think his     
blood1 and shall  ,i think my breath too
 dear in order to your salvation2 what  
pity is it1  that any of you should     
miscarry at last1 under the power of    
ignorance1  or by a profane negligence1 
or a formal and lifeless profession of  
strict godliness8    ,beloved1 ,i am    
afraid of you1 lest 7as to many of you7 
,i have run in  vain4 ,i cannot but     
thankfully acknowledge1 that there are  
not a few of  you who are the joy of    

your ministers1 and the glory of        
,christ4 ,but it  cannot be dissembled1 
that far the greater number give little 
ground  to hope1 they are in the state  
of salvation4 ,and must not this be a   
pinching thought to a compassionate     
teacher1 that he cannot persuade  men1  
but that the most of them will wilfully 
throw away themselves8  ,is it not a    
woeful sight1 to behold the devils      
driving a great part of  our miserable  
flocks1 7as they did once the herd of   
swine7 violently  down the hill1 till   
they be choaked in the water1 drowned in
 the gulph  of endless perdition8 ,ah   
miserable spectacle6 ,what through the  
wilful  blindness of some1 the looseness
 and sensuality of others1 the halving1 
and cold1 and customary religion of     
others1 how great a number of our  poor 
flocks1 is ,satan like to carry utterly 
away from us1 after all  that hath been 
done to save him8    ,yet ,i cannot but 
call after them4 ,hearken unto me1 ,o ye
 children4 ,how  long will ye love      

vanity1 and trust in lying words8 ,as   
the ,lord liveth1  you are lost1 except 
you turn3 wherefore turn yourselves and 
live ye4  ,ah how mercy wooeth you6 ,how
 it waiteth to be gracious8 ,hear1 ,o   
sinners1  hear4 ,see you not how the    
merciful ,saviour of the world          
stretcheth  forth his hands all the day 
long1 and spreadeth forth his wings1 and
  calleth you as a hen doth her         
chickens6 ,hear you not the sounding of 
his bowels8 ,he hath no need of you3    
,yet how do his compassions melt  over  
perishing sinners8 ,his heart is turned 
within him1 and shall not  this turn    
your hearts8 ,his repentings are kindled
 together1 and shall  not this lead you 
to repentance8 ,behold1 he standeth at  
the door and  knocketh4 ,o man1 wilt    
thou keep ,jesus at the door1 and lodge 
,barabbas  in thy bosom8 ,oh his melting
 love to sinners6 ,he calleth after     
them1  he weepeth over them1 he crieth  
to them4 ,how long1 ye simple ones1 will
  you love simplicity8 ,will you not be 

made clean8 ,when shall it once  be8    
,why will you die8 ,turn you at my      
reproof3 behold1 ,i will pour out  my   
spirit upon you4 ,sinner1 art thou not  
yet melted8 ,oh come in at his  loving  
calls4 ,come out from thy sins3 touch   
the scepter of grace and  live3 ,why    
shouldst thou be dashed in pieces by his
 iron rod8 ,kiss the  ,son3 ,why        
shouldst thou perish in the way8 ,set up
 ,jesus as thy king1  lest he count thee
 for his enemy1 because thou would not  
that he should  reign over thee1 and so 
thou be called forth and slain before   
him4 ,oh  how dreadful will this case   
be1 to die by the hand of a ,saviour6   
,oh  double hell1 to have thy ,redeemer 
become thy executioner6 ,and the hand   
that was so long stretched forth to save
 thee1 to be now stretched  forth to    
slay thee6 ,and the merciful heart of   
,christ himself hardened  against thee1 
so that he should call thee forth1 and  
hew thee in pieces1  as ,samuel did     
,agag before the ,lord4    99,beloved1  

,i despair of ever bringing you to      
salvation1 without  sanctification3 or  
possessing you with happiness without   
persuading  you to holiness4 ,god knows 
,i have not the least hope ever to see  
one of  your faces in heaven1 except you
 be sanctified1 and exercise yourselves 
unto godliness4 ,this is that ,i drive  
at1 ,i beseech you study to further     
personal godliness1 and family          
godliness4    99#a4 ,personal godliness4
 ,let it be your first care to set up   
,christ  in your hearts4 ,see that you  
make all your worldly interests stoop   
to him1 that you be entirely and        
unreservedly devoted to him4 ,if you    
deliberately and ordinarily harbour any 
sin1 you are undone4 ,see that  you     
unfeignedly take the laws of ,christ1 as
 the rule of your words1  thoughts and  
actions2 and subject your whole man1    
faithfully to him4  ,if you have a true 
respect unto all ,god's commandments1   
you are sound  at heart4 ,o study to get
 the image and impress of ,christ upon  

you  within4 ,begin with your hearts1   
else you build without a foundation4    
,labour to get a saving change within1  
or else all external performances  will 
be to no purpose4 ,and then study to    
shew forth the power of  godliness in   
your life4 ,let piety be your business4 
',tis the highest  point of justice1 to 
give ,god his due4 ,beware that none of 
you be a  prayerless person3 for that is
 a certain discovery of a ,christless1  
and a graceless person4 ,suffer not your
 bibles to gather dust4 ,see  that you  
converse daily with the word4 ,that man 
can never lay claim  to blessedness1    
whose delight is not in the law of the  
,lord4 ,let  meditation and             
self-examination be your daily exercise1
 else the  ,papists1 yea the ,pagans    
will condemn us4 ,if ever you come to   
any growth  in holiness1 without the    
constant use of this practice1 ,i am    
grossly  deceived4 ,and therefore ,i    
beseech1 yea even charge you by the     
,lord1  that you would daily examine    

yourselves4    ,but piety without       
charity is but the half of              
,christianity1 or rather  impious       
hypocrisy4 ,see therefore that you do   
justly1 and love mercy1  and let equity1
 and charity run like an even thread1   
through all your  dealings4 ,be you     
temperate in all things1 and let        
chastity and sobriety  be your undivided
 companions4 ,let truth and purity1     
seriousness and  modesty1 heavenliness  
and gravity1 be the constant ornaments  
of your  speech4 ,let patience and      
humility1 simplicity and sincerity shine
 in  all parts of your conversation4    
,see that you forget and forgive wrongs1
  and requite them with kindness4 ,be   
merciful in your censures1 and put  the 
most favourable construction upon your  
brethren's carriage4 ,be  slow in       
promising1 punctual in fulfilling4 ,let 
meekness1 innocency1  affableness1      
yieldingness1 and courtesy1 commend your
 conversation  to all men4 ,let none of 
your relations want that love and       

loyalty1  that reverence and duty1 that 
tenderness1 care1 and vigilancy1 which  
their several places and capacities call
 for4 ,this is true godliness4  ,i      
charge you before the most high ,god1   
that none of you be found a  swearer1 or
 a liar1 a lover of evil company1 or a  
scoffer1 or malicious1  or covetous1 or 
a drunkard1 or a glutton1 unrighteous in
 his dealing1  unclean in his living1 or
 a quarreller1 or a thief1 or backbiter1
 or a  railer3 for ,i denounce unto you 
from the living ,god1 that damnation is 
the end of all such4    #b4 ,family     
godliness4 ,he that hath set up ,christ 
in his heart1 will  be sure to study to 
set him up in his house4 ,let every     
family with you  be a ,christian church2
 every house a house of prayer2 every   
houshold a  houshold of faith4 ,let     
every housholder say1 with ,joshua1 ,i1 
with my  house1 will serve the ,lord1   
and with ,david1 ,i will walk within my 
house with a perfect heart4    ,first1  
,let religion be in your families1 not  

as a matter by the by1  but the standing
 business of the house4 ,let them have  
your prayers as  duly as their meals4   
,is there any of your families1 but have
 time for  their taking food8           
99,wretched man6 ,canst thou find time  
to eat1 and not  time to pray8          
99,secondly1 ,settle it upon your       
hearts1 that your souls are bound up  in
 the souls of your family4 ,they are    
committed to you1 and 7if they  be lost 
through your neglect7 will be required  
at your hands3 ,sirs1 if  you do not1   
you shall know that the charge of souls 
is a heavy charge1  and that the blood  
of souls is a heavy guilt4 ,o man1 hast 
thou a charge  of souls to answer for1  
and dost thou not yet bestir thyself for
 them1  that their blood may not be     
found in thy skirts8 ,wilt thou do no   
more  for immortal souls1 than thou wilt
 do for the beasts that perish8 ,what   
dost thou do for thy children1 and      
servants8 ,thou providest meat and      
drink for them1 and dost thou not the   

same for thy beasts8 ,thou givest  them 
medicines1 and cherishest them when they
 are sick1 and dost thou  not so much   
for thy swine8 ,more particularly4      
#a4 ,let the solemn reading of the word1
 and singing of psalms1 be your  family 
exercises4 ,see ,christ singing with his
 family1 his disciples1  ,matthew xxvi4 
#cj4 ,luke ix4 #ah4    #b4 ,let every   
person in your family be duly called to 
an account of  their profiting by the   
word heard or read1 as they are about   
doing your  own business4 ,this is a    
duty of consequence unspeakable1 and    
would be  a means to bring those under  
your charge to remember and profit by   
what  they receive4    #c4 ,often take  
account of the souls under your care1   
concerning their  spiritual estates4    
,make enquiry into their conditions1    
insist much  upon the sinfulness and    
misery of their natural estate1 and upon
 the  necessity of regeneration1 in     
order to their salvation4 ,admonish them
  gravely of their sins2 encourage      

beginnings4 ,follow them earnestly1 and 
let them have no quiet for you1 till you
 see in them a saving change4  ,this is 
a duty of high consequence1 but         
fearfully neglected by some4  ,doth not 
conscience say1 ,thou art the man8      
#d4 ,look to the strict sanctifying of  
the sabbath by all of your  housholds4  
,many poor families have little time    
else4 ,o improve but  your sabbath days 
as diligently in doing your ,maker's    
work1 as you do  the other days in doing
 your own work1 and ,i doubt not but you
 may come  to some proficiency4    #e4  
,let the morning and evening sacrifice  
of solemn prayer1 be daily  offered up  
in all your families4 ,beware they be   
not found among the  families that call 
not upon ,god's name2 for why should    
there be wrath  from the ,lord upon your
 families8 ,o miserable families without
 ,god in  the world1 that are without   
family prayer6 ,what have you so many   
family  sins1 family wants1 family      
miseries2 what1 and yet no family       

prayers8  ,how do you pray with all     
prayer and supplication if you do not   
with  family prayer8 ,say not ,i have no
 time4 ,what hast thou all thy time on  
purpose to serve ,god and save thy soul1
 and is this that for which thou  can'st
 find no time8 ,pinch out of your meals 
and sleep1 rather than  want for prayer4
 99,say not1 my business will not give  
leave4 ,this is thy  greatest business1 
to save thyself1 and the souls committed
 to thee4  ,in a word1 the blessing of  
all is to be got by prayer4 ,and what is
 thy  business without ,god's blessing8 
,say not1 ,i am not able4 ,use thy one  
talent1 and ,god will increase it4      
,helps are to be had till thou art      
better able4    99#f4 ,put every one in 
your families upon private prayer4      
,observe whether  any perform it4 ,get  
them the help of a form1 if they need   
it1 till they  are able to go without4  
,direct them how to pray1 by minding    
them of  their sins1 wants1 and mercies1
 the materials of prayer4    #g4 ,set up

 catechizing in your families1 at least 
once every week4 ,it  was my parting1   
dying request1 that you would set up and
 maintain this  duty in your families4  
,have you all done it accordingly8      
,cannot your  confidences witness1      
cannot your families witness you have   
not8 ,well1  ,i thought my parting words
 would have done something with you3 ,i 
hoped  the fervent request of a dying   
minister1 would have prevailed for such 
a small matter with you4 ,to this day   
are you without solemn catechizing  in  
your houses6 ,ah1 what a discouragement 
to your teacher is this8  ,brethren     
shall ,i yet prevail with you8 ,will you
 reject me also8 ,o let  me persuade you
 before you take off your eyes from     
these lines1 to  resolve to set upon the
 constant exercise of this duty4 ,surely
 ,i have  done and suffered more for you
 than this comes to3 ,will you deny me8 
,i beseech you1 let me find1 if ever    
,god brings me again to visit your      
houses1 that the words of a suffering   

minister have some power with  you4 ,i  
have sent you help on purpose3 ,what    
shall all my persuasions be  but        
speaking to the wind8 ,beloved1 have you
 no dread of the ,almighty's  charge1   
that you should teach these things      
diligently to your children1  and talk  
of them as you sit in your houses1 and  
train them up in the  way they should   
go8 ,hath ,god so commanded ,abraham1   
that he would  teach his children and   
his houshold1 ,genesis xviii4 #ai4 and  
given  such a promise to him thereupon1 
and will not you put in for a share  of 
either in the praise or the promise8    
,say not1 they are careless and  will   
not learn4 ,what have you your authority
 for1 if not to use it for  ,god1 and   
the good of their souls8 ,you will call 
them up1 and force them  to do their    
work2 and should you not at least be as 
zealous in putting  them upon ,god's    
work8 ,say not1 they are dull and not   
capable4 ,if they  be dull1 ,god        
requires of you the more pains and      

patience2 but dull as  they are1 you    
will make them learn how to work2 and   
can they not learn  how to live8 ,are   
they capable of the mysteries of your   
trade1 and are  they not capable of the 
plain principles of religion8 ,well1 as 
ever you  would see the growth of       
religion1 the cure of ignorance1 the    
remedy of  profaneness1 the downfal of  
error1 fulfil ye my joy with going      
through  with this duty4    ,i have been
 long and yet ,i am afraid my letter    
will be ended before my  work is done3  
how loath am ,i to leave you1 before ,i 
have prevailed with  you to set to this 
work8 ,will you pass your promise1 will 
you give me  your hands8 ,oh that you   
would8 ,you cannot do me a greater      
pleasure4  ,beloved1 why should you not 
give the hand one to another1 and       
mutually  engage to each other1 for more
 vigorous and diligent endeavours1 in   
promoting family godliness8 ,i must tell
 you1 ,god looks for more than  ordinary
 from you1 in such a day as this4 ,he   

expects that you should  do both in your
 hearts and in your houses1 somewhat    
more than ever1  under these            
extraordinary dispensations4 ,my most   
dearly beloved1 mine  own bowels in the 
,lord1 will you satisfy the longings of 
a travelling  minister8 will you answer 
the calls of divine providence8 ,would  
you  that your children should bless    
you8 ,oh1 then set up piety in your     
families4 ,as ever you would be blessed 
or be a blessing1 let your heart1  and  
your houses be the temples of the living
 ,god1 in which his worship  7according 
to the fore-mentioned directions7 may be
 with constancy  reverently performed4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,o ,,father of ,spirits1 that hast set  
me over thy flock to watch for their    
souls as one that must give account3 ,i 
have long studied thy will1  and taught 
in thy name1 and do unfeignedly bless   
thee1 that any have  believed my report4
 ,i have given unto them the words which
 thou gavest  me1 and they have received

 them4 ,i have manifested thy name unto 
them1  and they have kept thy word4 ,and
 now ,i am no more with them1 but ,i    
come  unto thee6 ,holy ,father1 keep    
them through thine own name2 for they   
are  thine4 ,as they have kept the word 
of thy patience1 so keep thou them in   
the hour of temptation4 ,they are but a 
little and helpless flock3 but  thou art
 their shepherd1 suffer them not to     
want4 ,do thou feed them1  and fold     
them4 ,let thy rod and thy staff comfort
 them1 and let not the  beasts of prey  
fall upon them1 to the spoiling of their
 souls4    ,but what shall ,i do for    
them that will not be gathered8 ,i have 
called  after them1 but they would not  
answer2 ,i have charged them in thy     
name1  but they would not hear2 ,i have 
studied to speak persuasively to them1  
but ,i cannot prevail4 ,then ,i said1 ,i
 have laboured in vain2 ,i have  spent  
my strength for nought1 yet ,i cannot   
give them over1 much less  may ,i give  
thee over4 ,lord1 persuade ,japhet to   

dwell in the tents of  ,shem4 ,lord     
compel them to come in1 and lay thy     
hands of mercy upon  them1 as thou didst
 on lingering ,lot1 and bring them      
forth1 that  they may escape for their  
lives1 and not be consumed4 ,lord1 ,i   
pray thee  open their eyes that they may
 see1 and lay hold upon their hearts by 
thy omnipotent grace4 ,do thou turn     
them1 and they shall be turned3 ,o      
bring back the miserable captives1 and  
suffer not the enemy of mankind  to     
drive a way the most of the flock before
 mine eyes1 and to deride  the fruitless
 endeavours of thy labourers1 and boast 
over them1 that  he can do more with    
them1 though he seek to ruin them1 than 
all the  beseechings1 counsels1 and     
charges of thy servants1 that seek to   
save  them4 ,lord1 if ,i could find out 
any thing that would pierce them1  that 
would make its way into their hearts1   
thou knowest ,i would use  it4 ,but ,i  
have been many years pleading thy cause 
in vain4 ,o let not  these endeavours   

also be lost4 ,o ,god1 find out every   
ignorant1 every  profane sinner1 every  
prayerless soul1 and every prayerless   
family1  and convince them of their     
miserable condition while without thee  
in  the world4 ,set thy image up in     
their souls1 set up thy worship in their
  families4 ,let not pride1 ignorance1  
or sloth keep them in neglect of  the   
means of knowledge4 ,let thine eyes be  
over the place of my desires  for good1 
from one end of the year to the other   
end thereof4 ,let every  house therein  
be a seminary of religion1 and let those
 that cast their  eyes upon these lines1
 find thee sliding in by the secret     
influence  of thy grace into their      
hearts1 and engaging them to do thy     
pleasure4  ,amen4 ,amen4                
,,jos4 ,,alleine4                       
,a ,,word to a                          
,,sabbath-,,breaker4                    
,remember the sabbath-day to keep it    
holy4    ,,have you forgotten who spoke 
these words8 ,or do you set him at      

defiance8 ,do you bid him do his worst8 
,have a care4 ,you are not  stronger    
than he4 ,let the potsherd strive with  
the potsherds of the  earth3 but woe    
unto the man that contendeth with his   
,maker2 he sitteth  on the circle of the
 heavens3 and the inhabitants of the    
earth are as  grasshoppers before him6  
,six days shalt thou do all manner of   
work4 ,but the seventh day is the       
sabbath of the ,lord thy ,god4 ,it is   
not thine1 but ,god's day4 ,he claims   
it for his own4 ,he always did claim it 
for his own1 even from the  beginning of
 the world4 ,in six days the ,lord made 
heaven and earth1  and rested the       
seventh day4 ,therefore the ,lord       
blessed the ,sabbath-day  and hallowed  
it4 ,he hallowed it2 that is1 he made it
 holy3 he  reserved it for his own      
service4 ,he appointed1 that as long as 
the sun  or the moon1 the heavens and   
the earth should endure1 the children of
  men should spend this day in the      
worship of him1 who gave them life  and 

breath and all things4    ,shall a man  
then rob ,god8 ,and art thou the man8   
,consider1 think what  thou art doing4  
,is it not ,god who giveth thee all thou
 hast8 ,every  day thou livest1 is it   
not his gift8 ,and wilt thou give him   
none8 ,nay1  wilt thou deny him what is 
his own already8 ,he will not1 he cannot
 quit  his claim4 ,this day is ,god's4  
,it was so from the beginning4 ,it will 
be  so to the end of the world4 ,this he
 cannot give to another4 ,o render  unto
 ,god the things that are ,god's3 ,now6 
,to-day1 while it is called  to-day6    
,for whose sake does ,god lay claim to  
this day8 ,for his sake1 or for  thine8 
,doubtless1 not for his own4 ,he needeth
 not thee1 nor any child  of man4 ,look 
unto the heavens and see1 and behold the
 clouds which  are higher than thou4 ,if
 thou sinnest1 what dost thou against   
him8 ,if  thy transgressions be         
multiplied1 what dost thou unto him8 ,if
 thou art  righteous1 what givest thou  
him8 ,or what receiveth he of thine     

hand8  ,for thy own sake therefore1 ,god
 thy ,maker doth this4 ,for thy own sake
  he calleth thee to serve him4 ,for thy
 own sake1 he demands a part of  thy    
time to be restored to him that gave    
thee all4 ,acknowledge his  love4       
,learn1 while thou art on earth to      
praise the king of heaven4  ,spend this 
day1 as thou hopest to spend that day   
which never shall  have an end4    ,the 
,lord not only hallowed the sabbath-day1
 but he hath also  blessed it4 ,so that 
you are an enemy to yourself4 ,you throw
 away your  own blessing1 if you neglect
 to keep this day holy4 ,it is a day of 
special grace4 ,the king of heaven now  
sits upon his mercy-seat1 in a  more    
gracious manner than on other days1 to  
bestow blessings on those  who observe  
it4 ,if you love your own soul1 can you 
then forbear  laying hold on so happy an
 opportunity8 ,awake1 arise1 ,let ,god  
give thee  his blessing6 ,receive a     
token of his love6 ,cry to him that thou
 may'st  find the riches of his grace   

and mercy in ,christ ,jesus6 ,you do not
  know1 how few more of these days of   
salvation you may have4 ,and how        
dreadful would it be1 to be called hence
 in the abuse of his proffered  mercy4  
,o what mercy hath ,god prepared for    
you1 if you do not trample it  under    
foot8 ,what mercy hath he prepared for  
them that fear him1 even  before the    
sons of men6 ,a peace which the world   
cannot give3 joy1 that  no man taketh   
from you3 rest from doubt and fear and  
sorrow of heart2  and love1 the         
beginning of heaven4 ,and are not these 
for you8 ,are  they not all purchased   
for you1 by him who loved you1 and      
himself  for you8 ,for you1 a sinner6   
,you1 a rebel against ,god6 ,you1  who  
have so long crucified him afresh6 ,now1
 look unto him whom you  have pierced6  
,now say1 ,lord1 it is enough4 ,i have  
fought against  thee long enough4 ,i    
yield1 ,jesus1 ,master1 have mercy upon 
me6    ,on this day1 above all1 cry     
aloud1 and spare not1 to the ,god who   

heareth prayer4 ,this is the day he hath
 set apart for the good of  your soul1  
both in this world and that which is to 
come4 ,never more  disappoint the design
 of his love1 either by worldly business
 or  idle diversions4 ,let not a little 
thing keep you from the house of  ,god1 
either in the forenoon or afternoon4    
,and spend as much as you can  of the   
rest of the day1 either in repeating    
what you have heard1 or in  reading the 
scripture1 or in private prayer1 or     
talking of the things  of ,god4 ,let his
 love be ever before your eyes4 ,let his
 praise be ever  in your mouth4 ,you    
have lived many years in folly and sin4 
,now1 live  one day unto the ,lord4     
,do not ask any more1 8,where is the    
harm1 if after church1 ,i spend  the    
remainder of the day in the fields1 or  
in a public-house1 or in  taking a      
little diversion80 ,you know where is   
the harm4 ,your own heart  tells you so 
plain1 that you can't but hear4 ,it is a
 base mispending  your talent1 and a    

bare-faced contempt of ,god and his     
authority4 ,you  have heard of ,god's   
judgments even upon earth1 against the  
prophaners  of this day4 ,and yet these 
are but as drops of that storm of fiery 
indignation1 which will at last consume 
his adversaries4    ,glory be to ,god   
who hath now given you a sense of this4 
,you now know1  this was always designed
 for a day of blessing4 ,may you never  
again  by your idleness or prophaneness1
 turn that blessing into a curse6  ,what
 folly1 what madness would that be8 ,and
 in what sorrow and anguish  would it   
end8 ,for yet a little while1 and death 
will close up the day  of grace and     
mercy4 ,and those who despise them now1 
will have no more  sabbaths1 or         
sacraments or prayers for ever4 ,then   
how will they  wish to recover that1    
which they now so idly call away8 ,but  
all in vain4  ,for they will then find  
no place for repentance1 tho' they      
should  seek it carefully with tears4   
,o my friend1 know the privilege you    

enjoy4 ,now remember the  sabbath-day to
 keep it holy4 ,your day of life and of 
grace is far  spent4 ,the night of death
 is at hand4 ,make haste to use the time
 you  have3 improve the last hours of   
your day4 ,now provide the things  which
 make for your peace1 that you may stand
 before the face of ,god  for ever4     
duplicate word 8for0 removed            
,a ,,word to a                          
,,swearer4                              
,swear not at all1    ,,saith the ,lord 
,god of heaven and earth4 ,art thou     
without ,god in the  world8 ,hast thou  
no knowledge of ,god8 ,no concern about 
him8 ,is not ,god  in all thy thoughts8 
,dost thou believe there is a ,god8     
,where8 in heaven only8 ,nay1 he        
filleth all in all8 ,am ,i a ,god at    
hand1 saith the ,lord1 and not a ,god   
afar off8 ,can any hide himself in      
secret places that ,i shall not see     
him8 ,do ,i not fill heaven and earth8  
,whither wilt thou go then from his     
spirit8 ,or whither wilt thou flee  from

 his presence8 ,if thou go up into      
heaven1 ,god is there4 ,if thou go  down
 into hell1 he is there also4 ,if thou  
take the wings of the morning1  and     
remain in the uttermost parts of the    
sea2 even there his hand shall  touch   
thee1 and his right-hand shall hold     
thee4    ,god seeth thee now3 his eyes  
are upon thee3 he observes all thy      
thoughts3 he compasseth thy path3 he    
counteth all thy steps3 he is           
acquainted with all thy ways3 by him thy
 actions are weighed2 nor is  there a   
word in thy tongue but he knoweth it    
altogether4    ,and does not power      
belong unto ,god8 yea1 all power in     
heaven and in  earth8 ,is he not able1  
even while thou readest or hearest these
 words1  to crush thee into nothing8    
,can he not just now crumble thee into  
dust8  ,or bid the earth open and       
swallow thee up8 ,o do not set him at   
nought6  ,do not provoke him thus4 ,do  
not fly in his face6 ,can he not1 in a  
moment1 cast forth his lightnings and   

tear thee8 ,shoot out his arrows  and   
consume thee8 ,what hinders him from    
cutting thee off this instant8  ,sending
 thee now1 now1 quick into hell8        
,would ,god do thee any wrong therein8  
,what6 ,in giving thee the request  of  
thy own lips8 ,what words were those    
thou spakest but now8 ,did not  ,god    
hear8 ,why1 thou didst pray to ,god to  
send thee to hell4 ,thou didst  ask him 
to damn thy soul4 ,how1 art thou in love
 with damnation8 ,art  thou in haste to 
dwell with everlasting burnings8 ,to be 
day and night  tormented in that flame1 
without a drop of water to cool thy     
tongue8    ,dost thou pray for this8 ,i 
pray ,god1 it may never be either my lot
 or  thine6 ,alas1 my brother6 ,what if 
,god take thee at thy word8 ,what if he 
say1 be it unto thee even as thou wilt8 
,what if he give thee thy wish1  and let
 thee drop into everlasting fire1       
prepared for the devil and his  angels8 
,i had rather thou shouldst go to the   
paradise of ,god4 ,hadst not thou8  ,is 

not heaven better than hell8 ,art thou  
not convinced of this in  thy own       
conscience8 ,why1 then1 amend thy       
prayer1 cry to ,god1 8,save my  soul1   
for ,i have sinned against thee3 save me
 from all my sins4 ,save me  from all my
 evil words1 and evil works1 from my    
evil tempers1 and evil  desires6 ,make  
me holy as thou art holy6 ,let me know  
thee1 and love thee1  and serve thee1   
now and for ever40    ,and is not ,god  
willing to do this8 ,surely he is4 ,for 
,god loveth  thee4 ,he gave his only    
,son1 that thou mightest not perish1 but
 have  everlasting life4 ,christ died   
for thee4 ,and he that believeth on him 
hath everlasting life4 ,mark that word3 
he hath it4 ,he hath it now4  ,he hath  
the beginning of heaven even upon earth3
 for his soul is filled  with the love  
of ,god3 and the love of ,god is heaven4
 ,he that truly  believes on ,jesus     
,christ1 hath a peace which earth cannot
 give3 his  mind is always calm2 he hath
 learned in every state therewith to be 

content3 he is always easy1 quiet1 well 
pleased2 always happy1 in life  and in  
death4 ,for a believer is not afraid to 
die2 he desires to be  dissolved and to 
be with ,christ3 he desires to quit this
 house of clay1  and to be carried by   
angels into ,abraham's bosom3 to hear   
the voice  of the archangel1 and the    
trump of ,god1 and to see the ,son of   
,man  coming in the clouds of heaven3 to
 stand at his right-hand1 and hear  that
 word 7which ,i earnestly beg of ,god   
you and ,i may hear37 8,come ye         
blessed1 receive the kingdom prepared   
for you from the beginning of the       
world60                                 
,a ,,word to a                          
,,drunkard4      #a4 ,,are you a man8   
,god made you a man4 ,but you make      
yourself a  beast4 ,wherein does a man  
differ from a beast8 ,is it not chiefly 
in reason and understanding8 ,but you   
throw away what reason you  have4 ,you  
strip yourself of your understanding4   
,you do all you can  to make yourself a 

mere beast3 not a fool1 not a madman    
only2 but a  swine1 a poor filthy swine4
 ,go and wallow with them in the mire6  
,go1  drink on1 till thy nakedness be   
uncovered1 and shameful spewing be on   
thy glory6    #b4 ,o how honourable is a
 beast of ,god's making1 compared to one
  who makes himself a beast6 ,but that  
is not all4 ,you make yourself  a devil4
 ,you stir up all the devilish tempers  
that are in you1 and  gain others1 which
 perhaps were not in you3 at least you  
heighten and  increase them4 ,you cause 
the fire of anger1 or malice1 or lust1  
to burn  seven times hotter than before4
 ,at the same time you grieve the       
,spirit  of ,god1 till you drive him    
quite away from you4 ,and1 whatever     
spark of  good remained in your soul1   
you drown and quench at once4    #c4 ,so
 you are now just fit for every work of 
the devil1 having  cast off all that is 
good or virtuous1 and filled your heart 
with every  thing that is bad1 that is  
earthly1 sensual1 devilish4 ,you have   

forced  the ,spirit of ,god to depart   
from you2 for you would take none of his
  reproof3 and you have given yourself  
up into the hands of the devil1 to  be  
led blindfold by him at his will4    #d4
 ,now what should hinder the same thing 
from befalling you1 which  befel him1   
who was asked1 which was the greatest   
sin1 adultery1  drunkenness1 or murder8 
,and which of the three he had rather   
commit8 ,he  said drunkenness was the   
least4 ,soon after1 he got drunk4 ,he   
then met  with another man's wife1 and  
ravished her4 ,the husband coming to    
help  her1 he murdered him4 ,so         
drunkenness1 adultery and murder went   
together4    #e4 ,i have heard a story  
of a poor1 wild ,indian1 far wiser than 
either  him or you4 ,the ,english gave  
him a cask of strong liquor4 ,the next  
morning he called his friends together1 
and setting it in the midst  of them1   
said1 8,these white men have given us   
poison4 ,this man  7calling him by his  
name7 was a wise man1 and would hurt    

none but his  enemies4 ,but as soon as  
he had drunk of this1 he was mad1 and   
would  have killed his own brother4 ,we 
will not be poisoned40 ,he then broke   
the cask1 and poured the liquor upon the
 sand4    #f4 ,on what motive do you    
thus poison yourself8 ,only for the     
pleasure of doing it8 ,what6 will you   
make yourself a beast1 or  rather a     
devil8 ,will you run the hazard of      
committing all manner of  villainies2   
and this only for the poor pleasure of a
 few moments1  while the poison is      
running down your throat8 ,o never call 
yourself a  ,christian6 ,never call     
yourself a man6 ,you are sunk beneath   
the greater  part of the beasts that    
perish4         8commiting0 replaced    
with 8committing0    #g4 ,do you not    
rather drink1 for the sake of company8  
,do you not do it1  to oblige your      
friends8 ,for company1 do you say8 ,how 
is this8 ,will  you take a dose of      
ratsbane for company8 ,if twenty men    
were to do  so before you1 would not you

 desire to be excused8 ,how much more   
may  you desire to be excused1 from     
going to hell for company8 ,but1 8to    
oblige your friends0,what manner of     
friends are they1 who would be  obliged 
by your destroying yourself8 ,who would 
suffer1 nay entice you  so to do8 ,they 
are villains4 ,they are your worst      
enemies4 ,they are just  such friends1  
as a man that would smile in your face1 
and stab you to  the heart4    #h4 ,o do
 not aim at any excuse4 ,say not1 as    
many do1 8,i am no one's  enemy but my  
own40 ,if it were so1 what a poor saying
 is this1 8,i  give none but my own soul
 to the devil40 ,alas6 is not that too  
much8  ,why shouldst thou give him thy  
own soul8 ,do it not4 ,rather give it to
  ,god4    ,but it is not so4 ,you are  
an enemy to your king1 whom you rob     
hereby of an useful subject4 ,you are an
 enemy to your country1  which you      
defraud of the service you might do1    
either as a man or as a  ,christian4    
,you are an enemy to every man that sees

 you in your sin2  for your example may 
move him to do the same4 ,a drunkard is 
a public  enemy4 ,i should not wonder at
 all1 if you was 7like ,cain of old7    
afraid that every man who meeteth you   
should slay you4    #i4 ,above all1 you 
are an enemy to ,god1 the great ,god of 
heaven and  earth3 to him who surrounds 
you on every side1 and can just now send
  you quick into hell4 ,him you are     
continually affronting to his face4     
,you are setting him at open defiance4  
,o do not provoke him thus any  more4   
,fear the great ,god4    #aj4 ,you are  
an enemy to ,christ1 to the ,lord that  
bought you4 ,you  fly in the face of his
 authority4 ,you set at nought both his 
sovereign  power and tender love4 ,you  
crucify him afresh1 and when you call   
him1  your ,saviour1 what is it less    
than to betray him with a kiss8    #aa4 
,o repent6 ,see and feel what a wretch  
you are4 ,pray to ,god1 to  convince you
 in your inmost soul4 ,how often have   
you crucified the ,son  of ,god afresh1 

and put him to an open shame6 ,pray that
 you may know  yourself1 inwardly and   
outwardly1 all sin1 all guilt1 all      
helplessness4  ,then cry out1 ,thou ,son
 of ,david1 have mercy upon me6 ,thou   
,lamb of ,god1  take away my sins4      
,grant me thy peace4 ,justify the       
ungodly4 ,o bring me  to the blood of   
sprinkling that ,i may go and sin no    
more1 that ,i may  love much1 having had
 so much forgiven6                      
,a ,,word to an                         
,,unhappy ,,woman4      #a4 ,,whither   
are you going8 ,to heaven or hell8 ,do  
you not know8 ,do you  never think about
 it8 ,why do you not8 ,are you never to 
die8 ,nay1 it  is appointed for all men 
to die4 ,and what comes after8 ,only    
heaven or  hell4,will the not thinking  
of death1 put it farther off8 ,no2 not a
  day3 not one hour4 ,or will your not  
thinking of hell1 save you from it8  ,o 
no3 you know better4 ,and you know that 
every moment you are nearer  hell1      
whether you are thinking of it or no3   

that is1 if you are not  nearer heaven4 
,you must be nearer one or the other4   
#b4 ,i intreat you1 think a little on   
that plain question1 ,are you going     
toward heaven or hell8 ,to which of the 
two does this way lead8 ,is it  possible
 you should be ignorant8 ,did you never 
hear1 that neither  adulterers nor      
fornicators1 shall inherit the kingdom8 
,that fornicators  and adulterers ,god  
will judge8 ,and how dreadful will be   
their sentence1  8,depart ye cursed into
 everlasting fire1 prepared for the     
devil and his  angels60    #c4 ,surely  
you do not mock at the word of ,god6    
,you are not yet sunk  so low as this4  
,consider then that awful word1 know ye 
not1 that ye  are the temples of ,god8  
,was not you designed for the ,spirit of
 ,god  to dwell in8 ,was not you devoted
 to ,god in baptism8 ,but if any man    
defile the temple of ,god1 him shall    
,god destroy4 ,o do not provoke him  to 
it any longer4 ,tremble before the      
great1 the holy ,god6    #d4 ,know you  

not1 that your body is1 or ought to be1 
the temple of the  ,holy ,ghost which is
 in you8 ,know you not1 that you are not
 your own8  ,for you are bought with a  
price4 ,and1 ,o how great a price6 ,you 
are  not redeemed with corruptible      
things1 as silver and gold3 but with    
the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a  
lamb without blemish and without  spot4 
,o when will you glorify ,god1 with your
 body and your spirit1  which are       
,god's6    #e4 ,ah poor wretch6 ,how far
 are you from this8 ,how low are you    
fallen8  ,you yourself are ashamed of   
what you do4 ,are you not8 ,conscience1 
speak  in the sight of ,god8 ,does not  
your own heart condemn you at this very 
hour8 ,do not you shudder at the        
condition you are in8,dare1 for once1   
to lay your hand upon your breast1 and  
ask1 8,what am ,i doing8 ,and what  must
 the end of these things be80           
,destruction both of body and soul4     
#f4 ,destruction of body as well as of  
soul6 ,can it be otherwise8 ,are  you   

not plunging into misery in this world1 
as well as in the world to  come8 ,what 
have you brought upon yourself already6 
,what infamy8 ,what  contempt8 ,how     
could you now appear1 among those       
relations or friends1  that were once so
 loved1 and so loving to you8 ,what     
pangs have you  given them8 ,how do some
 of them still weep for you in secret   
places8  ,and will you not weep for     
yourself8 ,when you see nothing before  
you1  but want1 pain1 diseases1 death8  
,o spare yourself6 ,have pity upon your 
body1 if not your soul4 ,stop6 ,before  
you rot above ground and perish6    #g4 
,do you ask1 what shall ,i do8 ,first1  
,sin no more4 ,first of all1  secure    
this point4 ,now1 this instant now1     
escape for your life4 ,stay  not4 ,look 
not behind you4 ,whatever you do1 sin no
 more3 starve1 die1  rather than sin4   
,be more careful for your soul than your
 body4 ,take  care of that too3 but of  
your poor soul first4    #h4 8,but you  
have no friend3 none1 at least1 that is 

able to help you40  ,indeed you have3   
one that is a present help in time of   
trouble4 ,you  have a friend that has   
all power in heaven and earth1 even     
,jesus ,christ  the righteous4 ,he loved
 sinners of old3 and he does so still4  
,he then  suffered the publicans and    
harlots to come unto him4 ,and one of   
them  washed his feet with her tears1   
and wiped them with the hairs of her    
head4 ,i would to ,god you were in her  
place6 ,say1 ,amen6 ,lift up your       
heart1 and it shall be done4 ,how soon  
will he say1 8,woman be of good  chear6 
,thy sins which are many1 are forgiven  
thee4,go in peace4 ,sin  no more4 ,love 
much2 for thou hast much forgiven40     
#i4 ,do you still ask1 but what shall ,i
 do for bread8 ,for food to eat1  and   
raiment to put on8 ,i answer1 in the    
name of the ,lord ,god1 7and mark  well6
 ,his promise shall not fail7 seek thou 
first the kingdom of ,god  and his      
righteousness1 and all these things     
shall be added unto thee4         8read0

 replaced with 8bread0    ,settle it    
first in your heart1 whatever ,i have or
 have not1 ,i will not  have everlasting
 burnings4 ,i will not sell my soul and 
body for bread3  better even starve on  
earth than burn in hell4 ,then ask help 
of ,god4  ,he is not slow to hear4 ,he  
hath never failed them that seek him4   
,he  who feeds the young ravens that    
call upon him1 will not let you perish  
for lack of sustenance4 ,he will        
provide1 in a way you thought not of1   
if you seek him with your whole heart4  
,o let your heart be toward him3  seek  
him from the heart4 ,fear sin1 more than
 want1 more than death4  ,and cry       
mightily to him who bore your sins1 till
 you have bread to eat1  that the world 
knoweth not of2 till you have angels    
food1 even the love  of ,god1 shed      
abroad in your heart3 till you can say1 
now ,i know that  my ,redeemer liveth1  
that he hath loved me and given himself 
for  me3 and though after my skin worms 
destroy this body1 yet in my flesh      

shall ,i see ,god6                      
,a ,,word to a                          
,,smuggler4      ,i4 8,,what is         
smuggling80 ,it is the importing1       
selling1 or buying  of run goods3 that  
is1 those which have not paid the duty  
appointed  by law to be paid to the     
king4    #a4 ,importing run goods4 ,all 
smuggling vessels do this with an high  
hand4 ,it is the chief1 if not the whole
 business of these1 to bring  goods     
which have not paid duty4    #b4 ,next  
to these are all sea captains1 officers1
 sailors1 or  passengers1 who import any
 thing without paying the duty which the
  law requires4    #c4 ,a third sort of 
smugglers are all those1 who sell any   
thing which  has not paid the duty4     
#d4 ,a fourth sort1 those who buy tea1  
liquors1 linen1 handkerchiefs1  or any  
thing else which has not paid duty4     
,,ii4 8,but why should they not8 ,what  
harm is there in it80    #a4 ,i answer1 
open smuggling 7such as was common a few
 years ago1  on the southern coasts     

especially7 is robbing on the highway3  
and as  much harm as there is in this1  
just so much there is in smuggling4 ,a  
smuggler of this kind is no honester    
than an highwayman4 ,they may shake     
hands together4    #b4 ,private         
smuggling is just the same with picking 
of pockets4 ,there  is full as much harm
 in this as in that4 ,a smuggler of this
 kind is no  honester than a pickpocket4
 ,these may shake hands together4    #c4
 ,but open smugglers are worse than     
common highwaymen1 and private          
smugglers are worse than common         
pickpockets4 ,for it is undoubtedly     
worse to rob our father1 than one we    
have no obligation to4 ,and it is  worse
 still1 far worse1 to rob a good father1
 one who sincerely loves  us1 and is at 
that very time doing all he can1 to     
provide for us1 and  to make us happy4  
,now this is exactly the present case4  
,king ,george  is the father of all his 
subjects3 and not only so1 but he is a  
good  father4 ,he shews his love to them

 on all occasions3 and is continually   
doing all that is in his power1 to make 
his subjects happy4    #d4 ,an honest   
man therefore would be ashamed to ask1  
where is the harm  in robbing such a    
father8 ,his own reason1 if he had any  
at all1 would  give him a speedy answer4
 ,but you are a ,christian3 are you not8
 ,you  say1 you believe the bible4 ,then
 ,i say to you1 in the name of ,god1    
and in the name of ,christ1 ,thou shalt 
not steal4 ,thou shalt not take  what is
 not thine own1 what is the right of    
another man4 ,but the duties  appointed 
by law are the ,king's right1 as much as
 your coat is your  right4 ,he has as   
good a right to them1 as you have to    
this3 these  are his property1 as much  
as this is yours4 ,therefore you are as 
much  a thief if you take his duties1 as
 a man is that takes your coat4    #e4  
,if you believe the bible1 ,i say to    
you1 as our ,saviour said to  them of   
old time1 ,render unto ,csar the things 
that are ,csar's1 and  unto ,god the    

things that are ,god's4 ,if then you    
mind our ,saviour's  words1 be as       
careful to honour the ,king1 as to fear 
,god4 ,be as  exact in giving the king1 
what is due to the king1 as in giving   
,god  what is due to ,god4 ,upon no     
account whatever rob or defraud him of  
the  least thing which is his lawful    
property4    #f4 ,if you believe the    
bible1 ,i say to you1 as ,st4 ,paul said
 to  the ancient ,christians1 ,render   
unto all their dues3 in particular1     
,custom to whom custom is due1 tribute  
to whom tribute4 ,now custom  is by the 
laws of ,england due to the king4       
,therefore every one in  ,england is    
bound to pay it him4 ,so that robbing   
the king herein1 is  abundantly worse   
than common stealing1 or common robbing 
on the highway4    #g4 ,and so it is1 on
 another account also3 for it is a      
general robbery3  it is1 in effect1 not 
only robbing the king1 but robbing every
 honest  man in the nation4 ,for the    
more the king's duties are diminished1  

the  more the taxes must be increased4  
,and these lie upon us all3 they are    
the burden not of some1 but of all the  
people of ,england4 ,therefore  every   
smuggler is a thief-general1 who picks  
the pockets both of the  king1 and all  
his fellow-subjects4 ,he wrongs them    
all2 and above all1  the honest traders3
 many of whom he deprives of their      
maintenance3  constraining them either  
not to sell their goods at all1 or to   
sell  them to no profit4 ,some of them  
are tempted hereby1 finding they cannot 
get bread for their families1 to turn   
thieves too4 ,and then you are          
accountable for their sin as well as    
your own3 you bring their blood  upon   
your own head4 ,calmly consider this1   
and you will never more ask1  8,what    
harm there is in smuggling80    ,,iii4  
#a4 ,but for all this1 cannot men find  
excuses for it8 ,yes1  abundance2 such  
as they are4 8,i would not do this1 says
 one2 ,i would  not sell uncustomed     
goods3 but ,i am under a necessity3 ,i  

can't live  without it40 ,i answer1 may 
not the man who stops you on the        
highway1  say the very same8 8,i would  
not take your purse2 but ,i am under a  
necessity3 ,i cannot live without it40  
,suppose the case to be your own2  and  
will you accept of this excuse8 ,would  
not you tell him1 8,let the  worst come 
to the worst1 you had better be honest1 
though you should  starve40 ,but that   
need not be neither4 ,others who had no 
more than  you to begin with1 yet find a
 way to live honestly4 ,and certainly so
  may you3 however1 settle it in your   
heart1 8,live or die1 ,i will be an     
honest man40    #b4 8,nay1 says another1
 we do not wrong the king3 for he loses 
nothing  by us4 ,yea1 on the contrary1  
the king is rather a gainer1 namely by  
the  seizures that are made40    ,so you
 plunder the king1 out of stark love and
 kindness6 ,you rob him1  to make him   
rich6 ,it is true1 you take away his    
purse3 but you put  an heavier in its   
place6 ,are you serious8 ,do you mean   

what you say8  ,look me in the face and 
tell me so4 ,you cannot4 ,you know in   
your own  conscience1 that what comes to
 the king1 out of all seizures made the 
year round1 does not amount to the      
tenth1 no not to the hundredth part  of 
what he is defrauded of4    ,but if he  
really gained more than he lost1 that   
would not excuse you4  ,you are not to  
commit robbery1 though the person robbed
 were afterwards  to gain by it4 ,you   
are not to do evil1 that good may come4 
,if you do1  your damnation is just4    
8,but certainly1 say some1 the king is a
 gainer by it1 or he might  easily      
suppress it40 ,wilt you tell him1 which 
way8 ,by ,custom-house  officers8 ,but  
many of them have no desire to suppress 
it4 ,they find  their account in its    
continuance3 they come in for a share of
 the  plunder4 ,but what if they had a  
desire to suppress it8 ,they have not   
the power4 ,some of them have lately    
made the experiment3 and what was  the  
consequence8 ,why they lost a great part

 of their bread1 and were  in danger of 
losing their lives4    #h4 ,can the king
 suppress smuggling1 by parties of      
soldiers8 ,that he  cannot do4 ,for all 
the soldiers he has are not enough1 to  
watch every  port and every creek in    
,great-,britain4 ,besides1 the soldiers 
that are  employed1 will do little more 
than the ,custom-house officers4 ,for   
there  are ways and means to take off   
their edge too1 and making them as      
quiet as lambs4         ,paragraph      
number out of sequence4    8,but many   
courtiers and great men1 who know the   
king's mind1 not only  connive at       
smuggling1 but practise it40 ,and what  
can we infer from  this8 ,only that     
those great men are great villains4     
,they are great  highwaymen and         
pickpockets3 and their greatness does   
not excuse1 but  makes their crime      
tenfold more inexcusable4    ,but       
besides4 ,suppose the king were willing 
to be cheated1 how would  this excuse   
your cheating his subjects8 ,all your   

fellow-subjects1 every  honest man1 and 
in particular1 every honest trader8 ,how
 would it excuse1  your making it       
impossible for him to live1 unless he   
will turn knave as  well as yourself8   
#c4 8,well1 but ,i am not convinced it  
is a sin3 ,my conscience does not       
condemn me for it40 ,no6 ,are you not   
convinced1 that robbery is a sin8  ,then
 ,i am sorry for you4 ,and does not your
 conscience condemn you for  stealing8  
,then your conscience is asleep4 ,i pray
 ,god to smite you to  the heart1 and   
awaken it this day6    #d4 8,nay1 but my
 soul is quite happy in the love of     
,god3 therefore ,i  cannot think it is  
wrong40 ,i answer1 wrong it must be1 if 
the bible is  right4 ,therefore either  
that love is a mere delusion1 a fire of 
your  own kindling2 or ,god may have    
hitherto winked at the times of         
ignorance4  ,but now you have the means 
of knowing better4 ,now light is offered
  to you4 ,and if you shut your eyes    
against the light1 the love of ,god     

cannot possibly continue4    #e4 8,but  
,i only buy a little brandy or tea now  
and then1 just for my own  use40 ,that  
is1 ,i only steal a little4 ,god says1  
steal not at all4    #f4 8,nay1 ,i do   
not buy any at all myself3 ,i only send 
my child or  servant for it40 ,you      
receive it of them3 ,do you not8 ,and   
the receiver  is as bad as the thief4   
#g4 8,why ,i would not meddle with it1  
but ,i am forced1 by my parent1         
husband1 or master40 ,if you are forced 
by your father or mother to rob1  you   
will be hanged nevertheless4 ,this may  
lessen1 but does not take  away the     
fault3 for you ought to suffer rather   
than sin4    #h4 8,but ,i do not know1  
that it was run40 ,no6 ,did not he that 
sold it1  tell you it was8 ,if he sold  
it under the common price1 he did4 ,the 
naming the price1 was telling you1      
8,this is run40    #i4 8,but ,i don't   
know where to get tea which is not run40
 ,i will tell  you where to get it4 ,you
 may have it from those whose tea is    

duly  entered1 and who make a conscience
 of it4 ,but were it otherwise1 if ,i   
could get no wine1 but what ,i knew to  
be stolen1 ,i would drink water3  yea1  
though not only my health1 but my life  
depended upon it3 for it is  better to  
die1 than to live by thieving4    #aj4  
8,but if ,i could get what has paid     
duty1 ,i am not able to pay the  price  
of it4 ,and ,i can't live without it40  
,i answer1 #a4 ,you can live  without   
it1 as well as your grandmother did4    
,but #b4 ,if you could not  live without
 it1 you ought to die1 rather than      
steal4 ,for death is a  less evil than  
sin4    #aa4 8,but my husband will buy  
it1 whether ,i do or no4 ,and ,i must   
use  what he provides1 or have none40   
,undoubtedly to have none is a less     
evil1 than to be partaker with a thief4 
,,iv4 ,upon the whole then1 ,i exhort   
all of you that fear ,god1 and desire   
to save your souls1 without regarding   
what others do1 resolve at all  hazards1
 to keep yourselves pure4 ,let your eye 

be fixed on the word  of ,god1 not the  
examples of men4 ,our ,lord says to     
every one of you1  ,what is that to     
thee8 ,follow thou me6 ,let no          
convenience1 no gain1 no  pleasure1 no  
friend1 draw you from following him4 ,in
 spite of all the  persuasions1 all the 
reasonings of men1 keep to the word of  
,god4 ,if all  on the right-hand and the
 left will be knaves1 be you an honest  
man4  ,probably ,god will repay you 7he 
certainly will1 if this be best for you7
  even with temporal blessings3 there   
have not been wanting remarkable        
instances of this4 ,but if not1 he will 
repay you with what is far  better3 with
 the testimony of a good conscience     
towards ,god2 with  joy in the ,holy    
,ghost2 with an hope full of            
immortality2 with the  love of ,god shed
 abroad in your hearts4 ,and the peace  
of ,god1  which passeth all             
understanding1 shall keep your hearts   
and minds  in ,christ ,jesus6           
,,london1    ,january #cj1 #agfg4       

,a ,,word to a                          
,condemn'd ,,malefactor4      ,,what a  
condition are you in8 ,the sentence is  
past3 you are condemned  to die3 and    
this sentence is to be executed shortly4
 ,you have no way to  escape2 these     
fetters1 these walls1 these gates and   
bars1 these keepers  cut off all hope4  
,therefore die you must3 but must you   
die like a beast1  without thinking what
 it is to die8 ,you need not3 you will  
not3 you  will think a little first3 you
 will consider1 what is death8 ,it is   
leaving this world1 these houses1 lands1
 and all things under the sun2  leaving 
all these things1 never to return2 your 
place will know you no  more4 ,it is    
leaving these pleasures2 for there is no
 eating1 drinking1  gaming1 no merriment
 in the grave4 ,it is leaving your      
acquaintance1  companions1 friends3 your
 father1 mother1 wife1 children4 ,you   
cannot  stay with them1 nor can they go 
with you3 you must part2 perhaps for    
ever4 ,it is leaving a part of yourself2

 leaving this body which has            
accompanied you so long4 ,your soul must
 now drop its old companion1 to  rot and
 moulder into dust4 ,it must enter upon 
a new1 strange1 unbodied  state4 ,it    
must stand naked before ,god6    #b4    
,but ,o6 how will you stand before ,god8
 ,the great1 the holy1 the just1  the   
terrible ,god8 ,is it not his own word1 
,without holiness no man  shall see the 
,lord8 ,no man shall see him with joy3  
rather he will call  for the mountains  
to fall upon him and the rocks to cover 
him4 ,and what  do you think holiness   
is8 ,it is purity both of heart and     
life4 ,it is  the mind that was in      
,christ1 enabling us to walk as he also 
walked4 ,it  is the loving ,god with all
 our heart1 the loving our neighbour1   
every  man as ourselves1 and the doing  
to all men1 in every point1 as we would 
they should do unto us4 ,the least part 
of holiness is1 to do good to  all men1 
and to do no evil either in word or     
work4 ,this is only the  outside of it4 

,but this is more than you have4 ,you   
are from it2 far as  darkness from      
light4 ,you have not the mind that was  
in ,christ3 there  was no pride1 no     
malice in him3 no hatred1 no revenge1 no
 furious anger1  no foolish or worldly  
desire4 ,you have not walked as ,christ 
walked3 no2  rather as the devil would  
have walked1 had he been in a body2 the 
works  of the devil you have done1 not  
the works of ,god4 ,you have not loved  
,god with all your heart4 ,you have not 
loved him at all4 ,you have not  thought
 about him4 ,you hardly knew or cared1  
whether there was any ,god  in the      
world4 ,you have not done to others as  
you would they should do  to you2 far1  
very far from it4 ,have you done all the
 good you could to  all men8 ,if so1 you
 had never come to this place4 ,you have
 done evil  exceedingly3 your sins      
against ,god and man are more than the  
hairs  of your head4 ,insomuch that even
 the world cannot bear you2 the world   
itself spues you out4 ,even the men that

 know not ,god declare1 you are  not fit
 to live upon the earth4    #c4 ,o      
repent1 repent6 ,know yourself3 see and 
feel what a sinner you are4  ,think of  
the innumerable sins you have committed1
 even from your youth  up4 ,how many    
wicked words have you spoken8 ,how many 
wicked actions have  you done8 ,think of
 your inward sins6 ,your pride1 malice1 
hatred1 anger1  revenge1 lust4 ,think of
 your sinful nature1 totally alienated  
from  the life of ,god4 ,how is your    
whole soul prone to evil1 void of good1 
corrupt1 full of all abominations6      
,feel1 that your carnal mind is  enmity 
against ,god4 ,well may the wrath of    
,god abide upon you4 ,he is  of purer   
eyes than to behold iniquity3 he hath   
said1 ,the soul that  sinneth1 it shall 
die4 ,it shall die eternally1 shall be  
punished with  everlasting destruction1 
from the presence of the ,lord and from 
the  glory of his power4    #d4 ,how    
then can you escape the damnation of    
hell8 ,the lake of fire  burning with   

brimstone8 ,where the worm dieth not1   
and the fire is not  quenched8 ,you can 
never redeem your own soul4 ,you cannot 
atone for the  sins that are past4 ,if  
you could leave off sin now1 and live   
unblamable  for the time to come1 that  
would be no atonement for what is past4 
,nay1  if you could live like an angel  
for a thousand years1 that would not    
atone for one sin4 ,but neither can you 
do this3 you cannot leave off  sin3 it  
has the dominion over you4 ,if all your 
past sins were now to be  forgiven1 you 
would immediately sin again3 that is1   
unless your heart  were cleansed2 unless
 it were created anew4 ,and who can do  
this8 ,who  can bring a clean thing out 
of an unclean8 ,surely none but ,god4   
,so you  are utterly sinful1 guilty1    
helpless6 ,what can you do to be saved8 
#e4 ,one thing is needful3 believe in   
the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and thou      
shalt be saved6 ,believe 7not as the    
devils only1 but7 with that faith  which
 is the gift of ,god1 which is wrought  

in a poor1 guilty1 helpless  sinner1 by 
the power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,see all 
thy sins on ,jesus laid4  ,god laid on  
him the iniquities of us all4 ,he       
suffered once the just  for the unjust4 
,he bore our sins in his own body on the
 tree4 ,he was  wounded for thy sins2 he
 was bruised for thy iniquities4 ,behold
 the  ,lamb of ,god1 taking away the sin
 of the world6 ,taking away thy sins1   
even thine1 and reconciling thee unto   
,god the ,father6 ,look unto him  and be
 thou saved6 ,if thou look unto him by  
faith1 if thou cleave to  him with thy  
whole heart1 if thou receive him both to
 atone1 to teach  and to govern thee in 
all things1 thou shalt be saved1 thou   
art saved1  both from the guilt1 the    
punishment1 and all the power of sin4   
,thou  shalt have peace with ,god1 and a
 peace in thy own soul1 that passeth    
all understanding4 ,thy soul shall      
magnify the ,lord1 and thy ,spirit      
rejoice in ,god thy ,saviour4 ,the love 
of ,god shall be shed abroad in thy     

heart1 enabling thee to trample sin     
under thy feet4 ,and thou wilt then     
have an hope full of immortality4 ,thou 
wilt no longer be afraid to die1  but   
rather long for the hour having a desire
 to depart1 and to be with  ,christ4    
#f4 ,this is the faith that worketh by  
love1 the way that leadeth to  the      
kingdom4 ,do you earnestly desire to    
walk therein8 ,then put away  all       
hindrances4 ,beware of company3 ,at the 
peril of your soul1 keep  from those who
 neither know nor seek ,god4 ,your old  
acquaintance are  no acquaintance for   
you1 unless they too acquaint themselves
 with  ,god4 ,let them laugh at you1 or 
say1 you are running mad4 ,it is enough1
  if you have praise of ,god4 ,beware of
 strong drink4 ,touch it not1 lest  you 
should not know when to stop4 ,you have 
no need of this to chear  your spirits2 
but of the peace and the love of ,god3  
beware of men that  pretend to shew you 
the way to heaven1 and know it not      
themselves4  ,there is no other name    

whereby you can be saved1 but the name  
of our  ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and there
 is no other way whereby you can find   
the virtue of his name but by faith4    
,beware of ,satan transformed into  an  
angel of light1 and telling you1 it is  
presumption to believe in  ,christ1 as  
your ,lord and your ,god1 your wisdom   
and righteousness1  sanctification and  
redemption4 ,believe in him with your   
whole heart4  ,cast your whole soul upon
 his love4 ,trust him alone3 love him   
alone3  fear him alone3 and cleave to   
him alone3 ,till he shall say to you 7as
  to the dying malefactor of old17 ,this
 day shalt thou be with me in  paradise4
                                     ,a 
,,word in ,,season2                     
,,or1                        ,advice to 
an ,,englishman4         ,this was      
published at the beginning of the late  
rebellion4      #a4 ,,do you ever think8
 ,do you ever consider8 ,if not1 'tis   
high  time you should4 ,think a little1 
before it is too late4 ,consider  what a

 state you are in4 ,and not you alone1  
but our whole nation4  ,we would have   
war4 ,and we have it4 ,and what is the  
fruit8 ,our armies  broken in pieces3   
,and thousands of our men either killed 
on the spot or  made prisoners in one   
day4 ,nor is this all4 ,we have now war 
at our own  doors3 our own countrymen   
turning their swords against their      
brethren4  ,and have any hitherto been  
able to stand before them8 ,have they   
not  already seized upon one whole      
kingdom8 ,friend1 either think now1 or  
sleep on and take your rest1 till you   
drop into the pit where you will  sleep 
no more8    #b4 ,think1 what is likely  
to follow1 if an army of ,french also1  
should blow the trumpet in our land6    
,what desolation may we not then        
expect8 ,what a wide-spread field of    
blood8 ,and what can the end of  these  
things be8 ,if they prevail1 what but   
,popery and ,slavery8 ,do  you know what
 the spirit of ,popery is8 ,did you     
never hear of that in  queen ,mary's    

reign8 ,and of the holy men who were    
then burnt alive by  the ,papists1      
because they did not dare to do as they 
did8 ,to worship  angels and saints2 to 
pray to the virgin ,mary2 to bow down to
 images1  and the like4 ,if we had a    
king of this spirit1 whose life would be
  safe8 ,at least1 what honest man's8 ,a
 knave indeed might turn with the       
times4 ,but what a dreadful thing would 
this be to a man of conscience8         
8,either turn1 or burn4 ,either go into 
that fire3 or into the fire that  never 
shall be quenched40    #c4 ,and can you 
dream that your property would be any   
safer than your  conscience8 ,nay1 how  
should that be8 ,nothing is plainer than
 that  the ,pretender cannot be king of 
,england1 unless it be by conquest4     
,but every conqueror may do what he     
will4 ,the laws of the land are no  laws
 to him4 ,and who can doubt1 but one who
 should conquer ,england  by the        
assistance of ,france1 would copy after 
the ,french rules of  government8    #d4

 ,how dreadful then is the condition    
wherein we stand8 ,on the very  brink of
 utter destruction6 ,but why are we     
thus8 ,i am afraid the answer  is too   
plain1 to every considerate man4        
,because of our sins3 because  we have  
well-nigh filled up the measure of our  
iniquities4 ,for1  what wickedness is   
there under heaven1 which is not found  
among us at  this day8 ,not to insist on
 the sabbath-breaking in every corner   
of our land1 the thefts1 cheating1      
fraud1 extortion2 the  injustice1       
violence1 oppression2 the lying and     
dissimulating2  the robberies1 sodomies 
and murders 7which1 with a thousand     
unnamed villainies are common to us and 
our neighbour ,christians of  ,holland1 
,france1 and ,germany37 consider over   
and above1 what a  plentiful harvest we 
have of wickedness almost peculiar to   
ourselves8  ,for who can vie with us1 in
 the direction of courts of justice8    
,in the management of public charities8 
,or1 in the accomplished1  barefaced    

wickedness1 which so abounds in our     
prisons1 and fleets1  and armies8 ,who  
in ,europe can compare with the sloth1  
laziness1  luxury and effeminacy of the 
,english gentry8 ,or with the           
drunkenness1 and stupid1 senseless      
cursing and swearing1 which  are daily  
seen and heard in our streets8 ,one     
great inlet1 no doubt1  to that flood of
 perjury1 which so increases among us   
day by  day3 the like whereunto is not  
to be found1 in any other part of the   
habitable earth4         8villanies0    
replaced with 8villainies0    #e4 ,add  
to all these 7what is indeed the source 
as well as completion of  all7 that open
 and profess'd ,,deism and rejection of 
the ,,gospel1 that  public1 avowed      
apostacy from the ,christian faith1     
which reigns among  the rich and great1 
and hath spread from them to all ranks  
and orders of men 7the vulgar themselves
 not excepted7 and made us  a people    
fitted for the destroyer of the         
,gentiles4    #f4 ,because of these sins

 is this evil come upon us4 ,for        
7whether you  are aware of it1 or no7   
there is a ,god3 a ,god1 who tho' he    
sits upon  the circle of the heavens1   
sees and knows all that is done upon    
earth4  ,and this ,god is holy2 he does 
not love sin3 he is just1 rendering  to 
all their due4 ,and he is strong2 there 
is none able to withstand  him3 he hath 
all power in heaven and in earth4 ,he is
 patient indeed1  and suffers long2 but 
he will at last repay the wicked to his 
face4  ,he often does so in this world2 
especially when a whole nation is       
openly and insolently wicked4 ,then doth
 ,god arise and maintain his  own cause2
 then doth he terribly shew both his    
justice and power3 that  if these will  
not repent1 yet others may fear1 and    
flee from the wrath  to come4    #g4    
,there hath been among them that feared 
,god1 a general expectation  for many   
years1 that the time was coming1 when   
,god would thus arise1  to be avenged on
 this sinful nation4 ,at length the time

 is come4 ,the  patience of ,god1 long  
provoked1 gives place to justice4 ,the  
windows of  heaven begin to be opened1  
to rain down judgments on the earth4    
,and yet1  with what tenderness does he 
proceed8 ,in the midst of wrath         
remembring  mercy4 ,by how slow degrees 
does his vengeance move6 ,nor does his  
whole  displeasure yet arise4    #h4    
,brethren1 countrymen1 ,englishmen1     
,what shall we do8 ,to-day6 ,while it   
is called to-day6 ,before the season of 
mercy is quite expired1 and our         
destruction cometh as a whirlwind8      
,which way can we remove the evils  we  
feel8 ,which way prevent those we fear8 
,is there any better way1 than  the     
making ,god our friend8 ,the securing   
his help against our enemies8  ,other   
helps are little worth4 ,we see armies  
may be destroyed1 or  even flee away    
from old men and children4 ,fleets may  
be dashed to  pieces in an hour1 and    
sunk in the depth of the sea4 ,allies   
may be  treacherous1 or slow1 or        

foolish1 or weak1 or cowardly4 ,but ,god
 is a  friend who cannot betray1 and    
whom none can either bribe or terrify4  
,and who is wise1 or swift1 or strong   
like him8 ,therefore1 whatever we  do1  
let us make ,god our friend4 ,let us    
with all speed remove the cause  of his 
anger4 ,let us cast away our sins4 ,then
 shall his love have free  course1 and  
he will send us help1 sufficient help1  
against all our  enemies4    #i4 ,come2 
will you begin8 ,will you1 by the grace 
of ,god1 amend one1  and that without   
delay8 ,first then1 own those sins which
 have long  cried for vengeance in the  
ears of ,god4 ,confess1 that we and all 
7and  you in particular7 deserve for our
 inward and outward abominations1  not  
only to be swept from the face of the   
earth1 but to suffer the  vengeance of  
eternal fire4 ,never aim at excusing    
either yourself or  others3 ,let your   
mouth be stopt4 ,plead guilty before    
,god4 ,above all1  own that impudence of
 wickedness1 that utter carelessness1   

that  pert stupidity1 which is hardly to
 be found in any part of the earth1  7at
 least1 not in such a degree7 except in 
,england4 ,do you not know  what ,i     
mean8 ,you was not long since praying to
 ,god for 8damnation upon  your own     
soul40 ,one who has heard you1 said1 is 
that right8 ,does not  ,god hear8 8,what
 if he takes you at your word80 ,you    
replied1 with equal  impudence and      
ignorance1 8,what1 ,are you a           
,methodist80,what1 if  he is a ,turk8   
,must thou therefore be a ,heathen8,god 
humble thy  brutish1 devilish spirit4   
8carlessness0 replaced with             
8carelessness0    #aj4 ,lay thee in the 
dust1 for this and for all thy sins4    
,let thy  laughter be turned into       
heaviness2 thy joy into mourning2 thy   
senseless  jollity and mirth1 into      
sorrow and brokenness of heart4 ,this is
 no time  to eat and drink and rise up  
to play2 but to afflict thy soul before 
the ,lord4 ,desire of ,god a deep       
piercing sense of the enormous sins of  

the nation1 and of thy own4 ,remember   
that great example3 how when the  king  
of ,nineveh was warned of the near      
approaching vengeance of ,god1  he      
caused it to be proclaimed1 ,let none   
taste any thing1 let them not  feed nor 
drink water4 ,but let them be covered   
with sackcloth1 and cry  mightily to    
,god2 yea let them turn every one from  
his evil way2 who can  tell1 if ,god    
will turn and repent1 and turn away from
 his fierce anger  that we perish not4  
,jonah iii4    #aa4 ,let them turn every
 one from his evil way4 ,cease to do    
evil4  ,learn to do well4 ,and see that 
this reformation be universal3 for      
there is no serving ,god by halves4     
,avoid all evil1 and do all good  unto  
all men2 else you only deceive your own 
soul4 ,see also1 that  it be from the   
heart3 lay the axe to the root of the   
tree4 ,cut up1  by the grace of ,god1   
evil desire1 pride1 anger1 unbelief4    
,let this  be your continual prayer to  
,god1 the prayer of your heart1 7as well

  as lips7 8,lord1 ,i would believe3    
help thou mine unbelief6 ,give me  the  
faith that worketh by love4 ,the life   
which ,i now live1 let me  live by faith
 in the ,son of ,god4 ,let me so        
believe1 that ,i may  love thee1 with   
all my heart1 and mind1 and soul1 and   
strength6 and  that ,i may love every   
child of man1 even as thou hast loved   
us6 ,let  me daily add to my faith      
courage1 knowledge1 temperance1         
patience1  brotherly kindness1 charity3 
that so an entrance may be ministered to
  me abundantly1 into the everlasting   
kingdom of our ,lord and ,saviour       
,jesus ,christ40                        
,,an ,,hymn4                  ,,regard1 
thou righteous ,god and true1           
,regard thy weeping people's prayer1    
,before the sword our land go through1  
,before thy latest plague we bear1      
,let all to thee their smiter turn1     
,let all beneath thine anger mourn4     
,the sword1 which first bereav'd abroad1
                  ,we now within our    

borders see3                ,we see1 but
 slight thy nearer rod1                 
,so oft so kindly warn'd by thee3       
,we still thy warning love despise1     
,and dare thine utmost wrath to rise4   
,yet for the faithful remnants sake     
,thine utmost wrath awhile defer1       
,if haply we at last may wake1          
,and trembling at destruction near      
,the cause of all our evils own1        
,and leave the sins for which we groan4 
,or if the wicked will not mourn1       
,and 'scape the long-suspended blow1    
,yet shall it to thy glory turn1        
,yet shall they all thy patience know1  
,thy slighted love and mercy clear1     
,and vindicate thy justice here4        
,for his ,,majesty                      
,king ,,george4                         
,,immortal ,king of ,kings1             
,whose favour or whose frown            
,monarchs and ,states to honour brings1 
,or turns them upside down2             
,to thee in danger's hour               
,we for our sov'reign cry1              

,protect him by thy gracious power1     
,and set him up on high4                
,not by a mighty host                   
,can he deliver'd be2                   
,let others in their numbers trust1     
,we look1 ,o ,lord1 to thee3            
,help to thy servant send1              
,and strengthen from above1             
,and still thy minister defend          
,by thine almighty love4                
,the spirit of thy grace1               
,thy heavenly unction shed1             
,and hosts of guardian angels place     
,around his sacred head3                
,confound whoe'er oppose1               
,or force them to retire2               
,be thou a tower against his foes1      
,be thou a wall of fire4                
,o bring him out of all                 
,his sanctified distress1               
,and by his name thy servant call1      
,and fill him with thy peace3           
,shew him1 almighty ,lord1              
,that thou his ,saviour art1            
,and speak the soul-converting word     

,my son1 give me thy heart6             
,a ,,word to a                          
,,protestant4      #a4 ,,don',t you call
 yourself a ,protestant8 ,why so8 ,do   
you know what  the word means8 ,what is 
a ,protestant8 ,i suppose you mean one  
that  is not a ,papist8 ,but what is a  
,papist8 ,if you don't know1 say so4    
,acknowledge you cannot tell4 ,is not   
this the case8 ,you call yourself  a    
,protestant3 but you don't know what a  
,protestant is4 ,you talk  against      
,papists3 and yet neither do you know   
what a ,papist is4 ,why  do you pretend 
then to the knowledge which you have    
not8 ,why do you  use words which you   
don't understand4    #b4 ,are you       
desirous to know what these words1      
,papist and ,protestant  mean8 ,a       
,papist is one who holds the ,pope1 or  
bishop of ,rome1 7the  name papa1 that  
is father1 was formerly given to all    
bishops7 to be  head of the whole       
,christian church3 and the church of    
,rome1 or that  which owns the ,pope as 

their head1 to be the only ,christian   
church4    #c4 ,in a course of years1   
many errors crept into this church1 of  
which  good men complained from time to 
time4 ,at last1 about two hundred years 
ago1 the ,pope appointed many bishops   
and others to meet at a town  in        
,germany1 called ,trent4 ,but these1    
instead of amending those  errors1      
established them all by a law1 and so   
delivered them down to  all succeeding  
generations4    #d4 ,among these errors 
may be numbered1 their doctrine of seven
  sacraments2 of transubstantiation2 of 
communion in one kind only2 of          
purgatory1 and praying for the dead     
therein2 of veneration of relics1  and  
of indulgences1 or pardons granted by   
the ,pope1 and to be bought  for money4 
,it is thought by some1 that these      
errors1 great as they are1 do only      
defile the purity of ,christianity3 but 
it is sure1 the following strike  at its
 very root1 and tend to banish true     
religion out of the world4    #e4       

,first1 the doctrine of merit4 ,the very
 foundation of ,christianity  is1 that a
 man can merit nothing of ,god3 that we 
are justified freely  by his grace1     
through the redemption that is in ,jesus
 ,christ3 not for  any of our works1 or 
of our deservings2 but by faith in the  
blood of  the covenant4    ,but the     
,papists hold1 that a man may by his    
works merit or deserve  eternal life2   
and that we are justified1 not by faith 
in ,christ alone1  but by faith and     
works together4    ,this doctrine       
strikes at the root of ,christian faith1
 the only  foundation of true religion4 
#f4 ,secondly1 the doctrine of praying  
to saints and worshipping of  images4   
,to the ,virgin ,mary they pray in these
 words2 8,o mother of ,god1  ,o queen of
 heaven1 command thy ,son to have mercy 
upon us40 ,and1 8the  right use of      
images0 7says the ,council of ,trent7   
8is to honour them1  by bowing down     
before them40 ,session #be4 ,paragraph  
#b4    ,this doctrine strikes at the    

root of that great commandment1 7which  
the ,papists call part of the first7    
,thou shalt not bow down to them1  nor  
worship them1 i4 e4 not any image       
whatsoever4 ,it is gross1 open1         
palpable idolatry1 such as can neither  
be denied1 nor excused2 and  tends      
directly to destroy the love of ,god1   
which is indeed the first  and great    
commandment4    #g4 ,thirdly1 the       
doctrine of persecution4 ,this has been 
for many  ages a favourite doctrine of  
the church of ,rome4 ,and the ,papists  
in  general still maintain1 that 8all   
heretics1 7that is1 all who differ  from
 them7 ought to be compelled to receive 
what they call the true  faith2 to be   
forced into the church1 or out of the   
world40    ,now this strikes at the root
 of1 and utterly tears up1 the second   
great  commandment4 ,it directly tends  
to bring in blind1 bitter zeal2 anger1  
hatred1 malice1 variance2 every temper1 
word and work that is just  contrary to 
the loving our neighbour as ourselves4  

,so plain it is1 that these grand       
,popish doctrines of merit1  idolatry   
and persecution1 by destroying both     
faith and the love of  ,god and of our  
neighbour1 tend to banish true          
,christianity out of the  world4    #h4 
,well might our forefathers protest     
against these3 and hence it  was that   
they were called ,protestants3 even     
because they publicly  protested1 as    
against all the errors of the ,papists1 
so against  these three in particular3  
the making void ,christian faith1 by    
holding  that man may merit heaven by   
his own works2 the overthrowing the love
  of ,god by idolatry1 and the love of  
our neighbour by persecution4    ,are   
you then a ,protestant1 truly so called8
 ,do you protest1  as against all the   
rest1 so in particular1 against these   
three grand1  fundamental errors of     
,popery8 ,do you publicly protest       
against  all merit in man8 ,all         
salvation by your own works8 ,against   
all idolatry of every sort8 ,and against

 every kind and degree of  persecution8 
,i question not but you do4 ,you        
publicly protest against all these      
horrible errors of ,popery4 ,but does   
your heart agree with your lips8  ,do   
you not inwardly cherish what you       
outwardly renounce8 ',tis well1  if you1
 who cry out so much against ,papists1  
are not one yourself4  ',tis well if you
 are not yourself 7as little as you may 
think of it7  a rank ,papist in your    
heart4    #i4 ,for1 first1 ,how do you  
hope to be saved8 8,by doing thus and   
thus8 ,by  doing no harm1 and paying    
every man his own1 and saying your      
prayers1  and going to church and       
sacrament80 ,alas6 alas6 ,now you have  
thrown  off the mask4 ,this is ,popery  
barefaced4 ,you may just as well speak  
plain1 and say1 8,i trust to be saved by
 the merit of my own works40  ,but where
 is ,,christ all this time8 ,why1 he is 
not to come in1 till  you get to the end
 of your prayer4 ,and then you will say1
 for ,,jesus  ,,christ's sakebecause so 

it stands in your book4 ,o my friend1   
your  very foundation is ,popish4 ,you  
seek salvation by your own works4  ,you 
trample upon the blood of the covenant4 
,and what can a poor  ,papist do more8  
#aj4 ,but let us go on4 ,are you clear  
of idolatry any more than the  ,papists 
are8 ,it may be indeed1 yours is in a   
different way4 ,but how  little does    
that signify8 ,they set up their idols  
in their churches3  you set up yours in 
your heart4 ,their idols are only       
covered with  gold or silver3 but yours 
is solid gold4 ,they worship the picture
  of the queen of heaven2 you1 the      
picture of the queen or king of         
,england4 ,in another way1 they idolize 
a dead man or woman2 whereas  your idol 
is yet alive4 ,o how little is the      
difference before ,god8  ,how small     
pre-eminence has the money-worshipper at
 ,london1 over the  image-worshipper at 
,rome8 ,or the idolizer of a living     
sinner1 over  him that prays to a dead  
saint8    #aa4 ,take one step farther4  

,does the ,papist abroad persecute8     
,does  he force another man's           
conscience8 ,so does the ,papist at     
home1 as  far as he can2 for all he     
calls himself a ,protestant4 ,will the  
man in  ,italy tolerate no opinion but  
his own8 ,no more1 if he could help it1 
would the man in ,england4 ,would you8  
,don't you think the government  much   
overseen1 in bearing with any but those 
of the church8 ,don't  you wish1 they   
would put down such and such people8    
,you know what  you would do1 if you was
 in their place4,and by the very same   
spirit  you would continue the          
inquisition at ,rome1 and rekindle the  
fires in  ,smithfield4    #ab4 ,it is   
because our nation is over-run with such
 ,protestants1  who are full of their   
own good-deservings1 as well as of      
abominable  idolatry1 and of blind1     
fiery zeal of the whole spirit of       
persecution2 that the sword of ,god1 the
 great1 the just1 the jealous  ,god1 is 
even now drawn in our land3 that the    

armies of the aliens  are hovering over 
it1 as a vulture over his prey2 and that
 the open  ,papists are on the very     
point of swallowing up the pretended    
,protestants4         ,this was wrote   
during the late rebellion4    #ac4 ,do  
you desire to escape the scourge of     
,god8 ,then ,i entreat you1  first1 ,be 
a real ,protestant4 ,by the ,spirit of  
,god assisting you 7for  without him you
 know you can do nothing7 cast away all 
that trust in  your own righteousness1  
all hope of being saved by your own     
works4 ,own1  your merit is everlasting 
damnation2 that you deserve the         
damnation  of hell4 ,humble yourself    
under the mighty hand of ,god4 ,lie in  
the dust4  ,let your mouth be stopt4    
,and let all your confidence be in the  
blood  of sprinkling2 all your hope in  
,,jesus ,,christ the righteous2 all your
  faith in him that justifieth the      
ungodly1 thro' the redemption that is   
in ,jesus4    ,o put away your idols out
 of your heart4 ,love not the world1    

neither  the things of the world4       
,having food to eat and raiment to put  
on1  be content3 desire nothing more but
 ,god4 ,to-day1 hear his voice1 who     
continually cries1 ,my son1 give me thy 
heart4 ,give yourself to him1  who gave 
himself for you4 ,may you love ,god1 as 
he has loved us6 ,let  him be your      
desire1 your delight1 your joy1 your    
portion1 in time and  in eternity4      
,and if you love ,god1 you will love    
your brother also3 you will be  ready to
 lay down your life for his sake3 so far
 from any desire to  take away his life1
 or hurt a hair of his head4 ,you will  
then leave his  conscience uncontrolled2
 you will no more think of forcing him  
into  your own opinions1 as neither can 
he force you1 to judge by his           
conscience4 ,but each shall give an     
account of himself to ,god4    #ad4 ,it 
is true1 if his conscience be           
misinformed1 you should endeavour  to   
inform him better4 ,but whatever you do1
 let it be done in charity1  in love and

 meekness of wisdom4 ,be zealous for    
,god3 but remember1 that  the wrath of  
man worketh not the righteousness of    
,god3 that angry  zeal1 though opposing 
sin1 is the servant of sin2 that true   
zeal is  only the flame of love4 ,let   
this be your truly ,protestant zeal3    
while you abhor every kind and degree of
 persecution1 let your heart  burn with 
love to all mankind1 to friends and     
enemies1 neighbours and  strangers2 to  
,christians1 ,heathens1 ,jews1 ,turks1  
,papists1 ,heretics2 to  every soul     
which ,god hath made4 ,let this your    
light shine before men1  that they may  
glorify your ,father which is in heaven4
                                        
,,hymns4                                
,,hymn ,i4                  #a4  ,,where
 have ,i been so long                   
,fast bound in sin and night1           
,mix'd with the blind self righteous    
throng                  ,who hate the   
sons of light8                #b4  ,o   
how shall ,i presume1                   

,jesus1 to call on thee1                
,sunk in the lowest dregs of ,rome1     
,the worst idolatry6                #c4 
,a stranger to thy grace1               
,long have ,i labour'd1 ,lord1          
,to 'stablish my own righteousness1     
,and been what ,i abhor'd4              
#d4  ,foe to the ,popish boast          
,no merit was in me6              ,yet  
in my works ,i put my trust1            
,and not alone in thee4                 
#e4  ,for works that ,i had wrought     
,i look'd to be forgiven1               
,and by my virtuous tempers thought     
,at last to purchase heaven4            
#f4  ,or if ,i needed still             
,the help of grace divine1              
,thy merits should come in to fill      
,the small defects of mine4             
#g4  ,alas6 ,i knew not then            
,thou only didst atone              ,for
 all the sinful sons of men1            
,and purge our guilt alone4             
#h4  ,didst shed thy blood to pay       
,the all-sufficient price1              

,and take the world's offence away      
,by thy great sacrifice4                
#i4  ,but ,o6 my dying ,god1            
,by thee convinced at last1             
,my soul on that atoning blood1         
,on that alone ,i cast4                 
#aj4 ,i dare no longer trust            
,on ought ,i do1 or feel1               
,but own1 while humbled in the dust1    
,my whole desert is hell4               
#aa4 ,my works of righteousness         
,i cast them all away2              ,me1
 ,lord1 thou frankly must release1      
,for ,i have nought to pay3             
#ab4 ,not one good word or thought      
,i to thy merits join1              ,but
 gladly take the gift unbought          
,of righteousness divine4               
#ac4 ,my faith is all in thee1          
,my only hope thou art1                 
,the pardon thou hast bought for me1    
,engrave it on my heart3                
#ad4 ,the blood by faith applied        
,o let it now take place1               
,and speak me freely justified1         

,and fully sav'd by grace4              
,,hymn ,,ii4                #a4         
,,forgive me1 ,o thou jealous ,god1     
,a wretch1 who on thy laws have trod1   
,and robb'd thee of thy right1          
,a sinner to myself unknown1            
',gainst thee ,i have transgress'd and  
done1                    ,this evil in  
thy sight4              #b4  ,my body ,i
 disdain'd to incline                ,or
 worship at an idol's shrine            
,with gross idolatry3                   
,but ,oh6 my soul hath baser prov'd1    
,honour'd1 and fear'd1 and serv'd1 and  
lov'd                    ,the creature  
more than thee4              #c4  ,let  
the blind sons of ,rome bow down        
,to images of wood and stone2           
,but ,i with subtler art1               
,safe from the letter of thy word1      
,my idols secretly ador'd1              
,set up within my heart4                
#d4  ,but ,oh6 suffice the season past3 
,my idols now away ,i cast1             
,pleasure1 and wealth and fame1         

,the world1 and all its goods ,i leave1 
,to thee alone resolv'd to give         
,whate'er ,i have or am4                
#e4  ,lo6 in a thankful1 loving heart   
,i render thee whate'er thou art1       
,i give myself to thee2                 
,and thee my whole delight ,i own1      
,my joy1 my glory1 and my crown         
,to all eternity4                       
,,hymn ,,iii4                  #a4  ,o  
,,thou who seest what is in man1        
,and shew'st myself to me1              
,suffer a sinner to complain            
,and groan his griefs to thee4          
#b4  ,a sinner1 that has cloak'd his    
shame                  ,with            
self-deceiving art1              ,thy   
worshipper reform'd in name1            
,but unrenew'd in heart4                
#c4  ,the servants most unlike their    
,lord1                  ,how oft did ,i 
condemn2              ,the persecuting  
church abhorr'd1                  ,nor  
saw myself in them6                #d4  
,the spirit of my foes ,i caught1       

,the angry bitter zeal1                 
,and fierce for my own party fought1    
,and breath'd the fire of hell          
#e4  ,threatning ,i did and slaughter   
breathe1                  7,the flail of
 heresy7              ,and doom the     
sects to bonds1 or death1               
,that did not think with me4            
#f4  ,to propagate the truth1 ,i fought 
,with fury and despight1                
,and in my zeal for ,israel fought1     
,to slay the ,gibeonite4                
#g4  8,the temple of the ,lord are we60 
,and all who dared deny1              ,i
 would not have their conscience free1  
,but force them to comply4              
#h4  ,with wholsome discipline severe   
,to conquer them ,i strove1             
,and drive into the pale thro' fear1    
,who would not come thro' love4         
#i4  ,how vainly then the zealots blind 
,of ,rome did ,i disclaim8              
,still to the church of ,satan join'd1  
,and differing but in name4             
#aj4 ,how could ,i1 ,lord1 myself       

deceive                  ,while         
unreform'd within1              ,protest
 against their creed1 and cleave        
,the closer to their sin8               
#aa4 ,their foulest sin my own ,i made1 
7,and humbly now confess7               
,while by my anger ,i essay'd           
,to work thy righteousness4             
#ab4 ,a murtherer convict ,i come       
,my vileness to bewail1              ,by
 nature born a son of ,rome1            
,a child of wrath and hell1             
#ac4 ,lord1 ,i at last recant1 reject1  
,thro' thy great strength alone1        
,the madness of the ,romish sect1       
,the madness of my own4                 
#ad4 ,lord1 ,i abhor1 renounce1 abjure  
,the fiery spirit unclean1              
,the persecuting zeal impure1           
,the sin-opposing sin4                  
#ae4 ,let others draw with fierce       
despight1                  ,th'         
eradicating sword1              ,and    
with the devil's weapons fight          
,the battles of the ,lord3              

#af4 ,but ,oh6 my gracious ,god1 to me  
,a better spirit impart1                
,the gentle mind that was in thee1      
,the meekly loving heart3               
#ag4 ,the heart whose charity o'erflows 
,to all1 far off1 and near1             
,true charity to friends and foes1      
,impartially sincere4                   
#ah4 ,heathens1 and ,jews1 and ,turks1  
may ,i                  ,and ,heretics  
embrace1              ,nor ev'n to ,rome
 the love deny                  ,i owe  
to all the race4         8sprit0        
replaced with 8spirit0                  
,a ,,word to a                          
,,freeholder4      ,,what are you going 
to do8 ,to vote for a parliament man8 ,i
 hope then you  have taken no money4    
,for doubtless you know the strictness  
of the oath1  ,that you have received no
 8,gift or reward1 directly or          
indirectly1 nor  any promise of any1 on 
account of your vote0 in the ensuing    
election4  ,surely you start at perjury6
 ,at calm1 fore-thought1 deliberate1    

wilful perjury4 ,if you are guilty      
already1 stop4 ,go no farther4 ',tis at 
the peril of your soul4 ,will you sell  
your country8 ,will you sell your  own  
soul8 ,will you sell your ,god1 your    
,saviour8 ,nay ,god forbid6 rather  cast
 down just now the thirty pieces of     
silver or gold1 and say1 8,sir1  ,i will
 not sell heaven4 ,neither you1 nor all 
the world is able to pay  the purchase40
    ,i hope you have received nothing   
else1 neither will receive2 no          
entertainment1 no meat1 or drink4 ,if   
this is given you on account  of your   
vote1 you are perjured still4 ,how can  
you make oath1 you  have received no    
gift8 ,this was a gift1 if you did not  
buy it4 ,what  will you sell your soul  
to the devil for a draught of drink1 or 
for a  morsel of bread8 ,oh consider    
what you do4 ,act1 as if the whole      
election  depended on your single vote3 
,and as if the whole parliament depended
  7and therein the whole nation7 on that
 single person whom you now chuse  to be

 a member of it4    ,but if you take    
nothing of any1 for whom shall you vote8
 ,for the man  that loves ,god4 ,he must
 love his country1 and that from a      
steady1  invariable principle4 ,and by  
his fruits you shall know him4 ,he is   
careful to abstain from all appearance  
of evil4 ,he is zealous of good  works1 
as he has opportunity1 doing good to all
 men4 ,he uses all the  ordinances of   
,god and that both constantly and       
carefully4 ,and he does  this1 not      
barely as something he must do2 or what 
he would willingly  be excused from4    
,no2 he rejoices in this his reasonable 
service1 as a  blessed privilege of the 
children of ,god4    ,but what if none  
of the candidates have these fruits8    
,then vote for  him that loves the king3
 king ,,george1 whom the wise providence
 of ,god  has appointed to reign over   
us4 ,he ought to be highly esteemed in  
love1  even for his office sake4 ,a king
 is a lovely1 sacred name4 ,he is a     
minister of ,god unto thee for good4    

,how much more1 such a king1 as  has    
been in many respects1 a blessing to his
 subjects4 ,you may easily  know those  
who love him not4 ,for they generally   
glory in their shame4  ,they are not    
afraid to speak evil of dignities3 no1  
not even of the  ruler of their people4 
,perhaps you will say1 but ,i love my   
country1 ,therefore ,i am for the       
country-interest4 ,i fear1 you know not 
what you say4 ,are you against  your    
king because you love your country8 ,who
 taught you to separate  your king from 
your country8 ,to set one against the   
other8 ,be assured1  none that loves    
either4 ,true lovers of their country do
 not talk in  this senseless manner4    
,is not the interest of the king of     
,england and of the country of          
,england1 one and the same8 ,if the king
 is destroyed1 doth it profit  the      
country8 ,if the country1 does it profit
 the king8 ,their interest  cannot be   
divided4 ,the welfare of one is the     
welfare of both4    ,have you an        

objection of a different kind8 ,do you  
say1 ,i am for the  church8 ,the church 
of ,england for ever6 ,therefore ,i vote
 for 4  ,he is a true churchman1 a lover
 of the church4 ,are you sure of that8  
,friend1 think a little4 ,what kind of a
 churchman is he8 ,a whoring  churchman8
 ,a gaming churchman8 ,a drunken        
churchman8 ,a lying churchman8  ,a      
cursing and swearing churchman8 ,or1 a  
red-hot persecuting churchman1  that    
would send all dissenters to the devil  
at a clap8 ,for shame6 for  shame6 ,do  
you call a man a churchman1 who knows no
 more of ,god than a  ,turk8 ,call a man
 a churchman1 that does not even pretend
 to so much  religion1 as would serve an
 honest ,heathen8 ,he is a lover of the 
church  who is a lover of ,god1 and     
consequently of all mankind4 ,whoever   
else  talks of loving the church is a   
cheat4 ,set a mark upon that man4       
,above all1 mark that man1 who talks of 
loving the church1 and does not  love   
the king4 ,if he does not love the king1

 he cannot love ,god4 ,and  if he does  
not love ,god1 he cannot love the       
church4 ,he loves the church  and the   
king just alike4 ,for indeed he loves   
neither one nor the other4    ,oh       
beware1 you who truly love the church1  
and therefore he cannot but  love the   
king3 beware of dividing the king and   
the church1 any more  than the king and 
country4 ,let others do as they will1   
what is that to  you8 ,act you as an    
honest man1 a loyal subject1 a true     
,englishman1 a  lover of the country1 a 
lover of the church2 in one word1 a     
,christian6  ,one that fears nothing but
 sin1 that seeks nothing but heaven1 and
 that  desires nothing but ,god4        
,nothing but glory to ,god in the       
highest1 and  on earth peace1 goodwill  
towards men6                            
,,advice to a                           
,,soldier4      #a4 ,,are you to die8   
,must you leave this world1 and carry   
nothing of  it away with you8 ,naked as 
you came out of your mother's womb1     

naked  shall you return4 ,and are you   
never to come back into this world8     
,have  you no more place under the sun8 
,when you leave these houses and fields1
  this flesh and blood1 do you part with
 them for ever8 ,are you sure  of this8 
,must all men die8 ,can none at all     
escape death8 ,do rich  men likewise    
die1 and leave their riches for others8 
,do princes also  fall and die like one 
of their people8 ,can you then escape   
it8 ,you  do not think so4 ,you know    
death is as sure as if you felt it      
already3  as if you was now gasping for 
life1 sweating and trembling in those   
last pangs1 till the soul started off   
from the quivering lips1 into the       
boundless ocean of eternity4    #b4 ,and
 are you to be judged8 ,how is this to  
be8 ,why1 the ,son of ,god  shall come  
in his glory1 and all his holy angels   
with him2 and then  shall he sit upon   
the throne of his glory4 ,and before him
 shall be  gathered all nations1 and he 
shall separate them from one another1 as

  a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
 goats4 ,behold he cometh with  clouds6 
,and every eye shall see him1 which is1 
and which was1 and which  is to come1   
the ,almighty6 ,and ,i saw 7wilt thou   
also say7 a great white  throne1 and him
 that sat thereon1 from whose face the  
earth and the  heavens fled away1 and   
there was found no place for them4 ,and 
,i saw the  dead1 small and great1 stand
 before ,god2 and they were judged1     
every  man according to his works4 ,and 
shalt thou also be judged according  to 
thy works8 ,all thy works1 whether they 
be good or evil8 ,yea1  and for every   
idle word which thou shalt speak1 thou  
shalt give an  account in the day of    
judgment4 ,but this is not all3 the     
,lord1 the  judge searcheth the heart1  
and trieth the reins4 ,he understands   
all  thy thoughts2 and for all these    
likewise he shall bring thee into       
judgment4 ,supposest thou it is enough  
to be outwardly good8 ,what6  though thy
 inward parts are very wickedness8 ,and 

are they not8 ,is  not thy soul fallen  
short of the glory 7the glorious image7 
of ,god8  ,look into thy breast4 ,art   
thou not a fallen spirit8 ,dost thou not
  know and feel1 how very far thou art  
gone from original righteousness8       
,desperately full thou art of all evil1 
and naked of all good8 ,is there  not in
 thee1 an earthly1 sensual1 devilish    
mind8 ,a mind that is enmity  against   
,god8 ',tis plain there is4 ,for thou   
dost not love ,god4 ,thou dost  not     
delight in him4 ,he is not the desire of
 thy eyes1 or the joy of thy  heart4    
,thou lovest the creature more than the 
,creator4 ,thou art a lover  of pleasure
 more than a lover of ,god4 ,o how wilt 
thou stand in the  judgment6    #c4 ,are
 you then to go to heaven or hell8 ,it  
must be either to one  or the other4 ,i 
pray ,god you may not go to hell6 for   
who can dwell  with everlasting         
burnings8 ,who can bear the fierceness  
of that flame1  without even a drop of  
water to cool his tongue8 ,yea1 and that

 without  end2 for as the worm dieth not
 so the fire is not quenched4 ,no1      
whoever  is once cast into that lake of 
fire1 shall be tormented day and night  
for ever and ever4 ,o eternity6         
eternity6 ,who can tell the length of   
eternity8 ,i warn thee now1 before ,god1
 and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1  that    
thou come not into that place of        
torment6    #d4 ,but alas6 ,is not hell 
now begun in thy soul8 ,does thy        
conscience  never awake8 ,hast thou no  
remorse at any time8 ,no sense of guilt8
  ,no dread of the wrath of ,god8 ,why  
these 7if thou art not saved from  them 
in this life7 are the worm that never   
dieth4 ,and what else is thy  carnal    
mind8 ,thy enmity against ,god8 ,thy    
foolish and hurtful lusts1 thy          
inordinate affections8 ,what are pride1 
envy1 malice1 revenge8 ,are they  not   
vipers gnawing thy heart8 ,may they not 
well be called1 the dogs  of hell8      
,canst thou be out of hell1 while these 
are in thy soul8 ,while  they are       

tearing it in pieces1 and there is none 
to help thee8 ,indeed  they are not     
fully let loose upon thee4 ,and while   
thou seest the  light of the sun1 the   
things of the world that surround thee1 
or the  pleasures of sense divert thy   
thoughts from them4 ,but when thou canst
  eat and drink no more1 when the earth1
 with the works thereof is burnt  up1   
when the sun is fallen from heaven1 and 
thou art shut up in utter  darkness1    
what a state wilt thou be in then8      
,mayst thou never try6 ,seek  thou a    
better habitation1 a house of ,god      
eternal in the heavens4    #e4 ,there   
the wicked cease from troubling1 there  
the weary are at rest4  ,for ,god shall 
wipe away all tears from their eyes2 and
 there shall be  no more death1 neither 
sorrow nor crying2 neither shall there  
be any  more pain1 but everlasting joy  
upon their heads4 ,but this joy our ears
  have not yet heard1 neither has it    
entered into the heart of man to        
conceive4 ,yet a little of it the       

children of ,god can conceive1 from     
what they already enjoy4 ,for the       
kingdom of heaven is within them4 ,god  
has given them eternal life2 the life   
which is hid with ,christ in ,god4      
,they have heaven upon earth2           
righteousness and peace1 and joy in the 
,holy ,ghost4 ,their souls are renewed  
in the image of ,god4 ,they love ,god4  
,they are happy in him2 and they love   
their neighbour 7that is every  man7 as 
themselves1 as their own souls4 ,being  
justified by faith1 they  have peace    
with ,god1 yea1 a peace which passeth   
all understanding4  ,and they rejoice in
 him1 knowing their sins are blotted    
out2 that they  are accepted in the     
beloved1 and that they are going to an  
inheritance  incorruptible undefiled1   
and that fadeth not away4    #f4 ,will  
you reply to all this1 8,but ,i am a    
soldier1 and have therefore  nothing to 
do with these things80 ,hold6 ,have     
soldiers nothing to do  with death8 ,how
 so8 ,do soldiers never die8 can you    

fright death away8  ,no1 my friend2 he  
will not regard all your big words and  
looks2 nor all  the weapons of your     
warfare4 ,you can neither conquer1 nor  
escape him4  ,your profession may excuse
 you from many other things2 but there  
is  no excusing yourself from death4    
,are you less sure of this than other   
men are8 ,no2 there is one lot for all4 
,are you farther from it than  they8    
,nay1 rather nearer4 ,you live in the   
very jaws of death4 ,why then  a soldier
 7if there be any difference7 has more  
to do with death than  other men4 ,it is
 not far from every one of us3 but1 to  
him1 it is just  at the door4    #g4    
,or1 do you fancy a soldier has nothing 
to do with judgment8 ,will  you say then
 7as poor ,captain ,uratz did1 when he  
was ask'd a few  minutes before his     
death1 if he had made his peace with    
,god7 8,i hope  ,god will deal with me  
like a gentleman80 ,but ,god said unto  
him1 8,thou  fool6 ,i will deal with    
thee1 as with all mankind4 ,there is no 

respect  of persons with me4 ,i reward  
every man according to his works40 ,thou
  also shalt receive of the righteous   
judge1 according to the things  which   
thou hast done in the body4 ,death      
levels all2 it mingles in  one dust the 
gentleman1 soldier1 clown and beggar2 it
 makes all these  distinctions void4    
,when life ends so do they4 ,holy or    
unholy is the one  question then4 ,lo6  
the books are opened1 that all the dead 
may be  judged according to the things  
that are written therein6 ,o may thy    
name  be found written in the book of   
life6    #h4 ,for1 have soldiers nothing
 to do with hell8 ,why then is it so    
often  in thy mouth8 ,dost thou think   
,god does not hear the prayer8 ,and  how
 often hast thou prayed him1 ,to damn   
thy soul8 ,is his ear waxed  heavy that 
it cannot hear8 ,i fear thou wilt find  
it otherwise4 ,was not  he a soldier    
too1 7and a terrible one7 to whom ,god  
said of old1 8,hell  from beneath is    
moved for thee1 to meet thee at thy     

coming80 ,and what  marvel8 ,for sin is 
the high road to hell4 ,and have        
soldiers nothing  to do with sin8 ,alas6
 ,how many of you wallow therein1 yea   
and glory in  your shame8 ,how do you   
labour to work out your own damnation6  
,o poor  work1 for poor wages6 ,the     
wages of sin is death2 the wages of     
cursing1  of swearing1 of taking the    
name of ,god in vain1 of                
sabbath-breaking1  drunkenness1 revenge1
 of fornication1 adultery1 and all      
uncleanness4  ,now1 art thou clear of   
these8 ,does not thy own heart smite    
thee8 ,art  thou not condemned already8 
,what voice is that which sounds in     
thine  ears8 ,is it not the voice of    
,god8 ,shall ,i not visit for these     
things1  saith the ,lord8 ,shall not my 
soul be avenged on such a sinner as     
this8  ,it is a fearful thing to fall   
into the hands of the living ,god6 ,be  
very  sure that thou art stronger than  
he1 before thou fliest in his face6 ,do 
not defy ,god1 unless thou canst        

overcome him4 ,but canst thou indeed8 ,o
  no4 ,do not try4 ,do not dare him to  
do his worst4 ,why should he destroy    
both thy body and soul in hell8 ,why    
shouldst thou be punished with          
everlasting destruction1 from the       
presence of the ,lord and from the      
glory of his power8    99#i4 ,but if    
there were no other hell1 thou hast hell
 enough within thee4  ,an awakened      
conscience is hell4 ,pride1 envy1 wrath1
 hatred1 malice1  revenge2 what are     
these but hell upon earth8 ,and how     
often art thou  tormented in these      
flames8 ,flames of lust1 envy1 or proud 
wrath8 ,are  not these to thy soul1 when
 blown up to the height1 as it were a   
lake  of fire1 burning with brimstone8  
,flee away before the great gulph is    
fixt3 escape1 escape for thy life6 ,if  
thou hast not strength1 cry to  ,god1   
and thou shalt receive power from on    
high3 and he whose name is  rightly     
called ,jesus1 shall save thee from thy 
sins4    #aj4 ,and why should he not8   

,has a soldier nothing to do with       
heaven8 ,god  forbid that you should    
think so6 ,heaven was designed for you  
also4  ,god so loved your soul1 that he 
gave his only begotten ,son1 that you1  
believing in him1 might not perish1 but 
have everlasting life4 ,receive  then   
the kingdom1 prepared for you from the  
foundation of the world6  ,this1 this is
 the time to make it sure2 this short1  
uncertain day of  life4 ,have you then  
an hour to spare8 ,no2 not a moment4    
,arise1 and  call upon thy ,god4 ,call  
upon the ,lamb who taketh away the sins 
of the  world1 to take away thy sins4   
,surely he hath borne thy griefs1 and   
carried thy sorrows6 ,he was wounded for
 thy transgressions1 and  bruised for   
thy iniquities4 ,he hath paid the ransom
 for thy soul4  ,believe in him1 and    
thou shalt be saved4 ,art thou a sinner8
 ,he came1  not to call the righteous1  
but sinners to repentance4 ,art thou a  
lost1  undone sinner8 ,he came to seek  
and to save that which was lost4 ,may   

he that gave himself for thee1 give thee
 ears to hear1 and a heart  to          
understand his love6 ,so shalt thou also
 say1 8,the life ,i now live1  ,i live  
by faith in the ,son of ,god40 ,so shall
 the love of ,god be shed  abroad in thy
 heart1 and thou shalt rejoice with joy 
unspeakable4  ,thou shalt have the mind 
that was in ,christ1 and shalt so walk  
as he  also walked2 till having fought  
the good fight1 and finished thy course1
  thou receive the crown that fadeth not
 away6                           ,the   
,end of the ,,ninth ,,volume4