Hail, you are highly favoured of the Lord, blessed are ye among men! Though you are but poor and despised, and little like Benjamin among the thousands of Judah; you carry away the blessing and the privilege from all the rest. God hath done more for the least of you than for the whole world of mankind besides. Fear not little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. All that the scripture speaks of that kingdom of glory, that everlasting kingdom, it speaks to you. Behold your inheritance. You are the sons of God, inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, joint heirs with Christ the Lord of glory.
Do you believe this? Do you thoroughly believe? If so, my work is done, I need not bid you rejoice, nor bid you be thankful, only believe. Do this and do all. Believe and you will rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Believe and you will be fruitful, and shew your faith by your works. Believe and you will love, for faith worketh by love. In a word, keep these things upon your hearts by daily and lively consideration, and this will bring heaven into your souls, and engage you to all manner of holy conversation. This will mortify you to the world, the grand enemy which I charge you to beware of. O remember, your’s is the kingdom; and ponder these sayings in your hearts. Beloved, I have written these things to you that your joy may be full. And now peace I leave with you. I am Christ’s embassador to you, an embassador of peace; his peace I pronounce unto you; in his name I bless you. Farewell in the Lord.
I am,
The fervent well-wisher of your souls,
JOS. ALLEINE.
Devizes, June 29, 1666.
LETTER XX.
[Of the love of Christ.]
To the servants of God in Taunton, salvation,
Most dearly beloved,