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LETTER XIII. [Motives and Marks of Growth.] To the most Loving, and best Beloved, the servants of Christ in •…•…aunton, Grace and Peace:
Most dear and tender Friends,
WHose I am, and whom under God I desire to serve; to build you up in Holiness, and comforts hath been through grace my great ambition. This is that which I la∣boured for; this is that which I suffer for: and in short the end of all my applications to you, and to God for you. How do your souls prosper? are they in a thriving case? what progress do you make in Sanctification? doth the House of Saul grew weaker and weaker, and the house of David stron∣ger and stronger? beloved, I desire to be jealous of you with a Godly jealousie, lest any of you should lose your ground in these declining times: and therefore cannot but be often calling upon you to look to your standing, and to watch and hold fast, that no man take your Crown. Ah! how su•…•…ely shall you reap in the end if you faint not! take heed therefore that you lose not the things you have wrought, but as you have begun well, so go on in the strength of Christ. and give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end, 'tis your thriving, I tell you, I drive at.
Do you need Motives?] 1. How much are you behind-band? Oh, the fair advantages that we have lost! what time, what Sabboths, Sermons, Sacraments, are upon the matter lost? how much work have we yet to do? are you sure of Hea∣ven yet? are you fit to die yet? surely they that are in so much Poverty, under so many great wants, had need to set upon some more thriving courses.
Secondly, Consider what others have gained, whilst we it may be sit down by the loss: Have we not met many Vessels richly laden, while our Souls are empty? Oh, the rich Boo∣ties, the golden Prizes that some have won? while we have