Fifthly, That what is wanting in the means, God will make up in the blessing. This I take for a certain truth, while a man commits himself and his affairs to God, and is in any way that God put him into; and if a man have but a little income, if he have a great blessing, that will make it up. Alas, we must not account of mercies by the bulk. What if another have a pound to my ounce, if mine be gold for his silver, I will never change with him. As ’tis not bread that keeps men alive, but the word of blessing that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; so ’tis not the largeness of the means, but the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich. Oh! If men did but believe this they would not grasp so much of the world as they do. Well, let others take their course, and we will take ours, to wait upon God by faith and prayer: let others toil to enlarge their income, we will pray God to enlarge our blessing, and I doubt not but we shall prove the gainers.
Sixthly, That every condition hath its snares, and troubles, and therefore we may not expect to be without them wherever we be; only that condition is most eligible that hath fewest and least. I cannot object any thing against the proposal of Taunton, but the meanness of the maintenance. And let us consider how inconsiderable this inconvenience is, in comparison of those we must reckon upon meeting with, if God cast us into another place. Upon these considerations, I find my heart much inclined to accept of their offer at Taunton. I beseech thee to weigh the matter and tell me thy thoughts, and which way thy spirit inclines, for I have always resolved the place I settled in should be to thy content. I have been so large in delivering my judgment, that I must thrust up my affections into a corner. Well, though they have but a corner in my letter, I am sure they have room enough in my heart: but I must conclude; the Lord keep thee my dear, and cherish thee for ever in his bosom; farewell, mine own soul.
I am, as ever, thine own heart,
JOS. ALLEINE.
Oxon, May 27, 1659.
LETTER II.
To my most dearly beloved, my Christian friends in Taunton, salvation.
Most loving brethren,
I SHALL never forget your old kindnesses; would I never so fain forget them, yet I could not, they are so continually renewed; for there is never a day but I hear of them: nay, more than hear of them, I feel and taste them. The God that hath promised they that give to a prophet but a cup of cold water, shall receive a prophet’s reward: he will recompense your labour of love, your fervent prayers, your care for my welfare, and your bountiful supplies. I do and will bless the Lord as long as I live, that he hath cast my lot in so fair a place, to dwell in your communion; and especially to go in and out before you, and to be the messenger of the Lord of hosts to you, to proclaim his law, and to preach his excellencies, to be his spokesman to you, and to woo for him, to espouse you to one husband, and to present you as a chaste virgin unto Christ. Lord! how unworthy am I, of this glorious dignity, which I verily believe the brightest angels in heaven would be glad of! I cannot repent, notwithstanding all the difficulties that attend his despised servants, and that are like to attend them; I have set my hand to his plough; and when I was entered into the sacred office, I told you, “Most gladly do I take up this office with all the persecution, affliction, difficulties and inconveniences that do and may attend it.” And blessed be God, I am through his goodness of the same mind still; and my tribulations for Christ, confirm my choice and resolution to serve him with much more than my labours. *Brethren, let them take up with the world that have no better portion; be content that they should bear away the riches, and preferments, and glory, and splendor of the world. Alas! You have no reason to envy them: verily they have a lie in their right-hand: Ah! How soon will their hopes fail them! How soon will the crackling blast be out, and leave them in eternal darkness! They shall go to the generation of their fathers, they shall never see light; like sheep they shall be laid in their graves, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. But for you, my brethren, I am jealous that none of you should come short of the glory of God. I am ambitious for you that you should be all the heirs of an endless life, of the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.