The Lord God be a sun and a shield to you. My most dear love to you all; fare you well in the Lord. I am,
Your embassador in bonds,
JOS. ALLEINE.
From the common gaol at Ivelchester,
October 20, 1663.
LETTER X.
[Motives and marks of growth.]
To the most loving and best beloved, the servants of Christ in Taunton, grace and peace.
Most dear and tender friends:
WHOSE I am, and whom under God I desire to serve; to build you up in holiness, and comfort, hath been through grace my great ambition. This is that which I laboured for; this is that which I suffer for: and in short, the end of all my applications to you, and to God for you. How do your souls prosper? Are they in a thriving case? What progress do you make in sanctification? Doth the house of Saul grow weaker and weaker, and the house of David stronger and stronger? Behold, I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy, lest any of you should lose ground in these declining times: and therefore cannot but be often calling upon you to look to your standing, and to watch and hold fast, that no man take your crown. Ah! How surely shall you reap in the end, if you faint not! Take heed therefore that you lose not the things you have wrought, but as you have begun well, so go on in the strength of Christ, and give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end.