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, XXXVI. [To his Wife, Desires after Heaven.]

My Dear Heart,

MY heart is now a little at rest to write to thee. I have been these three days much disturbed, and set out of frame. Strong solicitations I have had from several hands, to accept very honourable preferment in several kinds, some friends making a Journey on purpose to propound it, but I have not found the invitations (though I confess very honour∣ble, and such as are or will be suddenly embraced by men of far greater worth and eminency) to suit with the inclinations of my own heart, as I was confident they would not with thine. I have sent away my friends satisfied with the reasons of my refusal, and am now ready with joy to say with David. Soul return unto thy rest. But alas, that such things should di∣sturb me, I would live above this lower region, that no pas∣sages or providence whatsoever might put me out of frame, nor disquiet my soul, and unsettle me from my desired rest. I would have my heart fixed upon God, so as no occurrences might disturb my tranquility, but I might be still in the same quiet and even frame. Well, though I am apt to be unsettled, and quickly set off the hinges, yet methinks I am like a Bird out of the nest, I am never quiet till I am in my old way of Communion with God, like the needle in the Compass that is restless, till it be turned towards the the Pole. I can say through grace with the Church, with my soul have I desired thee in the night, and with my Spirit within me have I sought thee early, my heart is early and late with God, and 'tis the business and delight of my life to seek him. But alas, how long shall I be a seeking? how long shall I spend my days in wish∣ing and desiring, when my glorified Brethren spend theirs in rejoycing and enjoying? look as the poor imprisoned captive fighs under the burdensome clog of his Irons, and can onely

pear through the Grace, and think of, and long for the sweet∣ness of that liberty which he sees others enjoy: such me∣thinks is my condition: I can only look through the Grate of this Prison my flesh, I see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, sitting down in the Kingdom of God, but alass, I my self must stand without longing, striving, fighting, running, pray∣ing, waiting, for what they are enjoying. Oh happy, thrice happy pouls! when shall these Fetters of mine be knocked off? when shall I be set at liberty from this Prison of my body? you are cloted with glory, when I am clothed with dust. I dwell in flesh, in a House of Clay, when you dwell with God in a House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. I must be continually clog'd with the cumbersome burden of this Dung-hill Body, that had it not a soul dwel∣ling in it like Salt as it were to preserve, it would soon turn to putrefaction and corruption, and be as odious and loath∣some as the filthiest Carrion, when you have put on incor∣ruption and immortaliey. What continual molestation am I subject to by reason of this flesh? what pains doth it cost me to keep this earthen Vessel from breaking, it must be fed, it must be clothed, it must be exercised, recreated, and which is worst of all cherished with time-devouring sleep, so that I live but little of the short time I have alotted me here: but oh bles∣sed souls, you are swallowed up of immortality and life, your race is run, and you have received your Crown. How cau∣tious must I be to keep me from dangers, how apt am I to be troubled with the cares and fears of this life, molesting my self with the thoughts of what I shall eat, and what I shall put on, and wherewithal I shall provide for my self and mine; when your souls are taken with nothing but God, and Christ, and 'tis your work to be still contemplating, and admiring that love that redeemed you from all this. Alas, how am I encompast with infirmities, and still carry about me Death in my bosome, what pains and cost must I be at to repair the rotten and ruinous building of this earthly Tabernacle, which when I have done I am sure will shortly fall about my ears; when you are got far above mortality, and are made equal with the Angels. Oh I groan earnestly to be clothed upon with my house which is from Heaven, being willing rather to be absent from the Body, and present with the Lord: Oh,

when shall I come and appear before him. When shall I re∣ceive the Purchase of my Saviour, the fruit of my prayers, the harvest of my labours, the end of my Faith, the Salva∣tion of my soul? Alas, what do I here? this is not my resting place. My treasure is in Heaven, and my heart is in Heaven. Oh when shall I be where my heart is? woe is me that I so∣jour in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and dwell in the Tents of Kedar. Oh that I had wings 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Dove, that I might flie away and be at rest. Then would I hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest, and be out of the reach of fears, disturbances, and distractions. How long shall I live at such a distance from my God, at such a distance from my Countrey? Alas, how can I be merry, how can I sing the Lords Song in a strange Land; no, I will hang my Harp upon the Willows, and sit down and weep when I remember Sion. But yet my flesh shall rest in hope, and I will daily bathe my soul in the sweet thoughts of my blessed home. I will rejoyce in hopes of what I do not yet enjoy, and content my self with the taste of what I shall shortly have my fill of. But stay this Pen run not be∣yond thy Commission. Alas, now I receive what I have gotten, I perceive I have set down what I would be rather than what I am, and wrote more of my dears heart than my own penning, rather a Copy for my self, than a Copy of my self. Well, I thank God I have got some heat by it for all, the Lord grant thou mayst get a thousand times more. The Lord grant the request I daily pour out before him, and make us helps and furtherances to each others soul, that we may quicken and promote and forward one another in his ways. Help me by thy Prayers as thou dost always. The God of all peace and comfort be with thee my sweet love, Farewel,

Thine beyond Expression, Joseph Aleine.