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 XXXIX. PRISON-COMFORTS. [To a Minister in Prison.]

Worthy Sir,

I Owe you a Letter, and more than a Letter, for your particular respects to me, your brotherly sympathy, your multiplied and earnest prayers, your tenderness of my health, your welcom Jewel in M. Ruths Letters, from which I trust my soul and others may reap no small benefit. Much more do I owe you for your common re∣spects to the people of my desires; and not only to them, but to the whole Church of God; in all whose con∣cernments, I see, you are concerned. Your indefatigable labours with us, we do with all thankfulness accept, as the undoubted evidence of your great love: For all which, may he requite you, who will shortly say, Inas∣much as thou didst it unto the least of these my Brethren, thou didst it unto me.

It was but a little after my release from my own con∣finement, but I heard of yours; and now write to you, as one that hath taken a higher degree than ever, and more truly honourable, being commenced Prisoner of Christ. I was once affected with the Picture of a devout man, to whom a voice came down from Heaven, saying, Quid vis fieri prote? To which he answered, Nihil domine nisi pati ac contemni prote. Undoubtedly, Sir, it is our real glory to be throughout conformed to Jesus Christ, not only in his sanctity, but in his sufferings. Paul counted all things but dung for this, that he might win Christ, &c.

and know the fellowship of his sufferings, and be made conformable to his death. I doubt not but your conso∣lations in Christ do much more then superabound in all your tribulations for him: Yet let me add this one Cor∣dial, That now you have a whole shoal of Promises come in to you, which you had not before; I mean, all the Promises to suffering Saints, in which they have not so immediate, but onely a remoter right, unless in a suf∣fering state: And doubtless he hath gotten well, that hath gotten such a number of exceeding great and pre∣cious Promises: If the men of the world do so rejoyce when such or such an Estate is fallen to them; should not you much more, that have such a Treasure of Pro∣mises fallen to you?

I can tell you little good of my self; but this I'can tell you, That the Promises of God were never so sweet in this world to me, as in and since my imprisoned state. Oh the bottomless Riches of the Covenanr of Grace! It shames me that I have let such a Treasure lie by so long, and have made so little use of it. Never did my soul know the Heaven of a Believers life, till I learnt to live a life of praise, and by more frequent consideration to set home the unspeakable riches of the Divine Promises, to which, I trust, through grace, I am made an heir. I verily perceive, that all our work were done at once, if we could but prevail with our selves and others to live like Believers; to tell all the world by our course and carriage, that there is such pleasantness in Christs wars, such beauty in holiness, such reward to obedience, as we prosess to believe. May ours and our peoples conversa∣tions but preach this aloud to the world, That there is a reality in what God hath promised; That Heaven is worth the venturing for; That the sufferings of the pre∣sent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us!

Verily, Sir, it is but a very little while that Prisons shall hold us, or that we shall dwell in dirty flesh. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tells us of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that he was ashamed to see himself in the Body; to see a divine and immortal Soul in a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Flesh, (for so they held

the body to be;) but the worst shackles are those of sin. Well, they must shortly off all together; our Lord doth not long intend us for this lower Region: Surely he is gone to prepare a place for us: Doubtless it is so; yea, and he will come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is, we may be also. And what have we to do, but to believe, and wait, and love, and long, and look out for his coming, in which is all our hope? 'T will be time enough for us to be preferred then. We know before hand who shall then be uppermost. Our Lord hath shewed us where our place shall be, even at his own right hand; and what he will say to us, Come ye blessed, &c. Surely we shall stand in his Judgment: He hath promised to stand our Friend: Let us look for the joyful day: As sure as there is a God, this day will come, and then it shall go well with us. What if Bonds and Banishments abide us for a season? This is nothing but what our Lord hath told us, The world shall rejoyce, but ye shall weep and lament: You shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Oh how reviving are his words! I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoyce, and your joy no man taketh from you.

If that miserable wretch leapt chearfully off the Lad∣der, saying, I shall be a Queen in Hell: With what joy should we do and suffer for God, who have his Truth in pawn, that we shall be Crown'd in Heaven? Ve∣rily, they are wonderful Preparations that are making for us: The Lord prepare us apace, and make us meet to be Partakers, It was the highest Commendation that ever that Worthy R. Baxter received, which fell from the Pen of his scoffing Adversary Tilenus, who saith of him, Totum Puritanismum totus spirat. Oh that this may be true of us and ours.

Let your true yoke-fellow, and my Christian Friends with you in the Bonds of the Gospel, have my hearty Commendations: And these Counsels, I pray you, give them from me, for the improving of their present state.

1. To habituate themselves, both as to their thoughts and discourses, more throughly than ever unto Holiness. Brethren, I would teach you the Lesson that I resolve to learn with you, That your minds and tongues may as naturally run on the things of Heaven, as others on the things of this world. Why should it not be thus? I am sure God and Heaven do as well deserve to be thought on, and talked of by us, as froth and vanity can deserve of the world. There are many that have in a great measure learnt this lesson, and why should not we be some of them? What if it be hard at first? Every thing is so to a beginner. Besides, is not ours a Religion of self-denial? Further, if we do but force our selves a while to holy Thoughts, and Heavenly Discourse, it will grow habitual to us, and then it will be most natural, familiar, and heavenly sweet. Oh what gainers will you be, if you do but learn this Lesson!

Verily, it's the shame of Religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Sirs, our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whither we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many real Christians do little think what high frames of Holiness they might grow up to, even in this life, with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: Think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to Heaven; but aspire with an holy ambition to be great in the Court of Heaven, Favourites of the most High, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 growth, great experience, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your places, and convince the world; that you may savour of Heaven where ever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thred of Holiness run∣ning through your whole course. 'Tis the disgrace of Profession, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary coversation of Believers from other men: Is it not a shame, that when we are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, onely that we will not curse and swear, as do the

worst of men? Christians, if you will honour the Go∣spel, bring forth your Religion out of your Closets (the world can't see what you do there) into your Shops, Trades, Visits, &c. and exemplifie the rules of Religion in the management of all your Relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no Place or Company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God: This will be the glory of Religion, and we shall never convince the World till we come to this. May you come my Brethren, out of your Prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Holiness: May your mouths be as a Well of Life, from whence may flow the Holy Streams of Edify∣ing Discourse: May you ever remember, as you are sit∣ting in your Houses, going by the Way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you, Deut 6. 7.

2. To improve their present retirements from the World, for the settling of their spiritual estates. 'Tis a common complaint amongst Christians, That they want Assu∣rance. Oh, if any of you that wanted Assurance when you came to Prison, may carry that blessing out, what happy gainers would you be! Now you are called more than ever to self-searching. Now bring your Graces to the Touchstone. Be much in Self Observation. See what your hearts do with most love and delight, go out unto: what are your greatest hopes, and your chief de∣signs. See whether God's Intrest be uppermost in you: prove this, and prove all. Rest not in probable hopes. Think not that is enough that you can say, you hope 'tis well. God lookes for extraordinary things from you under such great helps, such extraordinary Dispensations. Be restless till you can say, that You know. 'tis well? that you know you are passed from Death to Life

Think not that this is a priviledge that only a few may expect. Observe but these three things:

1. To acquaint your selves throughly with the conditions of Life, and take heed of laying the marks of Solvation ci∣ther too high or too low.

2. To be much in observing the frame, and bent, and work∣ings of your own hearts.

3. To universally conscientious, and to be constant in even and close walkings, and then I doubt not but you will grow up speedily to a settled assurance, and know and feel that peace of God that passeth all understanding: and this will be somewhat worth your carrying out of Prison.

But I return to your self. But what shall I say? I have more need to receive from you, than abilitie to give; on∣ly I will tell you my wishes for you: I wish that your bo∣dy may prosper, as your soul also prospereth. I wish, That you may see the travel of your Soul; that you may find your People thriving under your hands in all manner of holy conversation and godliness, that whosoever converses with them, may see and hear by them, that God is in them of a Truth. I wish your enlargement from your bonds, and your enlargement in them: That your Prison may be but the Lanthorn through which your Graces, Experien∣ces, Communion, and Prison-attainments, may shine most brightly to all beholders. I wish your Prison may be a Paradice of Peace, and a Patmos of Divine discoveries. Lord Jesus set to thy Amen. I am

SIR,

Your unworthy Brother and Companion in the Kingdom and Patience of JESUS: JOS. ALLEINE.

Jan. 10. 1664.