The life & death of Mr. Joseph Alleine, late teacher of the church at Taunton, in Somersetshire, assistant to Mr. Newton whereunto are annexed diverse Christian letters of his, full of spiritual instructions tending to the promoting of the power of Godliness, both in persons and families, and his funeral sermon, preached by Mr. Newton.

LETTER XXXV. [Good Counsel to his Wife.]

My most dear Theodosia,

THou seemest to have been long from me: Let nothing any longer detain thee, but my Sisters necessity, or Fa∣thers Authority. I am very sorry that thou shouldst lose two Sacraments. I am in a comfortable state of health, through Divine goodness, to which be glory for ever. See that thou love and admire that Fountain of our life, and peace: and be ever mindful that 'tis all thy business to love, and save, and praise thy Creator and Redeemer. I have no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but this to write to thee about: But this is all our 〈◊〉〈◊〉. What be use to call business is but vanity and 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

and some by matter in comparison of this. Remember and forget not that 'tis thy chief end to glorifie God, and en∣joy him for ever. Learn well that Leston, and know that it is the one thing necessary. Every morning remember that thy serving and pleasing of God, is the whole business of that day, and therefore set out accordingly with an express design and intention to please God in thy eating, drinking, visiting, conversing, calling, and duties of thy Relations throughout the day. My most dear heart, I have nothing in the world that doth concern thee, or me so much to write of to thee, as this is. Oh that thou mayst be still be laying up in Heaven! still furthering thy account; still adding to the heap, and en∣creasing thy glorious reward! nothing is done for God, but thou shalt hear of it again. Whatever is not done for God, is but so much lost. Those things which others do being led by their natural affections and desires, those things do thou do with holy Aims, for spiritual ends, and then God will put it on the account, as so much done for him. So it is my dearest, God keeps a true account. See that thou believe it, and so plow in hope, and sowe in hope, pray and hear with an eye to the sure reward. Let thy hopes be strong and lively, and then thy hands will be strong, and thy resolutions and affecti∣ons will be strong. My time is very precious, and I would not lose any inch of it. See thou to it, that mytime in writing this Letter be not lost time. Love God the more, and set thine heart the straighter towards him, and do but practice this one thing, in every solemn action to look to thy ends, and then I have got well, and thou better by these Counsels. My dear∣est, I love thee in truth and tenderness, but my love signifies little, unless it serve thine Eternal good,

I rest thine own, JOSEPH ALLEINE.