Rejoice then, O Christians, and bless yourselves, in being under Christ’s care. Fear not little flock; stronger is he that is with you, than he that is against you: what though Satan should raise all his militia against you? Adhere to Christ, doing and suffering his pleasure, and he shall secure you: the Lord will not forsake you, because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people: many will be plucking at you, but fear not, he hath all power. Can omnipotence secure you? He is all treasure. Can unsearchable riches suffice you? In a word, he is all fullness. Can fullness fill you? If so, you are blessed and shall be blessed.
Beloved, We lose unutterably for want of considering our own privileges, and blessedness. O man, is Christ thine, and yet dost thou live at a low rate? Is thy name written in heaven, and yet dost thou not rejoice? Shall the children of the kingdom, the chosen generation, be like other men? O Christians, remember who and whence you are, consider your obligations, bestir yourselves, run and wrestle, and be strong for the Lord of Hosts, (and earnestly, yet peaceably) contend for the faith once delivered to his saints. What, shall we make nothing of all that God hath said and done for us? O Christians, shall he that hath obtained the King’s patent for an earldom, glory in his riches and honour? And shall the grant of heaven signify little with thee? Or Christ’s patent for the son-ship and partnership with himself be like a cypher? Shall Haman come home from the banquet with a glad heart, glorying in the greatness of his riches, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him? And shall we find it under God’s own hand, that he intends the kingdom for us, that he will be a father to us, that he gives and grants all his infinite perfections to us, and yet not be moved? *Christians live like yourselves, let the world see that the promises of God and privileges of the gospel are not empty sounds. Let the heavenly chearfulness and the restless diligence, and the holy raisedness of your conversation prove the reality, excellency, and beauty of your religion. See that you receive not the grace of God in vain. Remember with trembling, To whom much is given, of him much shall be required. With my most dear loves to you all, I commend you to your Father and my Father, your God and my God, remaining
Your’s in all manner of obligations,
JOS. ALLEINE.
From the common goal, in Ivelchester,
January 20, 1663.
LETTER XV.
[What do you more than others?]
To the most dearly beloved, the servants of God, in Taunton, grace and peace.
Most loving and entirely beloved,