Some fruits of a tender branch, sprung from the living vine being a collection of several sound and godly letters, written by that faithful servant of God, Benjamin Padley. With diverse living testimonies to that innocent life, in which he walked, and continued to the end of his day.

A Copy of a Letter to his Brother, John Padley, at London.

Beloved Brother,

THe Salutation of my Endeared Love doth reach unto thee in that insepa∣rable unity and fellowship, which length of miles or distance of place cannot separate; as we dwell and abide in that blessed Truth which the Lord hath convinced us of; and not so only, but through his great mercy, and loving kindness hath brought us into obedi∣ence in a pretty large measure, to the requi∣rings of it, and it is the very desire, and Tra∣vel of my Soul and Spirit, that we may be e∣ver kept and preserved in the same obedience, to the end of our days, that as the Lord hath been pleased to give unto each particular of us a Tallent, to profit with all, that we now

may be truely and faithfully exercised, for the improvement of it to the glory of God, and to the benefit and advantage of our im∣mortal Souls; that when the Lord is pleased to call us to an account, that we may appear before him with joy, and receive the answer of Well done into our bosomes; and this will be more cause of joy, and gladness unto us, than though we could gain the whole world and want this.

And now my Dear Brother, by this thee may understand, that I have received thine baring date the 26th. of this month, as also two, that my Wife received before I came home; the reading of which hath greatly glad∣ed my heart, as also the account that I had of thee by our dear Friends, John Whitehead, John Bouram, and Robert Lodge, which all did give me a very good account of thee; and I can truely say, it did abundantly rejoyce me to hear of thy welfare, and prosperity every way, but more especially of thy growth in the Truth, in which I pray God preserve, and continue thee with my own Soul, and every one whom he hath called, that his work may prosper in us, and that we may stand as living witnesses for him in our age and generation, amongst those whom he hath placed us; for blessed be the name of the Lord our God for ever, that hath not left us to our selves, nor suffered the enemy of our Souls to destroy us, neither hath he cut us off in

our Transgression, but hath spared us to be as Monuments of his Mercy; and not only so, but his blessings is largely extended to∣wards us to this very day, that my Soul can say that he is become an open fountain, and a place of broad Rivers, unto them that true∣ly fears him, and is given up to serve him; he is making them to drink of the waters of a full cup, to the glading of their Souls, for which my Soul is ingaged to return Glory, Honour, and Thanksgiving unto him, who is God over all blessed, for ever and ever, A∣men.

Friends, here about, are generally well, one∣ly Christopher Hutton lyeth a dying, if he be not dead; his Son Emanuel was taken away last winter, he dyed a very honest young Man. So desiring these may find thee in good health, as through the Lords Mercy we are at present, we remain with our dear Loves to thee, desiring to hear from thee, which is most at present, from,

Thy truly Loving Brother, Benjamin Padley.

Northcave 29th. of 4th. Month, 1687.