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LETTER, XVII. [Motives to set our selves to please God.]
To my most Dearly Beloved, the Servants of Christ in Taunton, Grace and Peace.
Most dear Christians,
YOur Prisoner in the Lord saluteth you with all dearness: you are the care of my heart, the desire of my Eyes, the joy of my Bonds, and the sweet of my liberty. I am much satisfied in the wise disposal of our Heavenly Father, whether he see it good for me to be a Bond-man, or a Free∣man, so I may but serve your Souls to the greatest adventage. Methinks I begin to feel in my self, more than ever the bene∣fit of your Prayers; the influences of Heaven, through the riches of Free-Grace (to which alone be the Praise) being more fully sensible, and sweet upon me. I hope the Lord will restore us one to another in his time, much better than we parted; in the mean time, see that you stand fast in the hope of the Gospel. The Lord taketh infinite care for you, see that it be your care, the care of your very hearts, to please the Lord: Set your hearts to it as the business of your lives, and the very end of your beings, to walk worthy of the Lord unto all well-pleasing. Set home on your selves such considerations as these.
First, It is the very business you were made for, and sent into the world for, to please your Maker. For his pleasure you are, and were Created. Why should the Lord repent that he had made you? Gen. 6. 6. What treacherous and damnable falshood is this, that when the Lord hath given us Breath and Being, and sent us into the World on purpose on his service, we should like false and wicked servants, set up for our selves? why should your Creator say, he hath made you in vain?