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LETTER XXXVIII. [Do all in reference to God and his glory.]
Dear Friend,
I Have received yours of the 19th of September, but it came to me in the time of my sickness, in which I was much a stranger to writing; it continued upon me five Months, and to this day so much weaknes remains in my arms, that I am not able to put off or on my own clothes. Your Letter was exceeding welcom to me, not only as reviving the remembrance of our old friendship, but also, as bringing me news of some spiritual good that you received by me, which is the best tidings that I can receive: for what do I live for, but to be use∣ful to souls in my generation? I desire to know no other business than to please and honour my God, and serve my generation in that short allowance of time that I have here, before I go hence, and be seen no more. Shall I commend to you the Lesson that I am about to learn? But why should I doubt of your acceptance, who have so readily embraced me in all our converses?
The Lesson is, To be entirely devoted unto the Lord, that I may be able to say after the Apostle, To me to live is Christ. I would not be serving God onely for a day in the week, or an hour or two in the day; but eve∣ry day, and all the day: I am ambitious to come up towards that of our Lord and Master, To do al∣ways those things that please God. I plainly see, that self-seeking is self-undoing; and that then we do promote our selves best, when we please God most. I find, that when I have done all, if God be not