The life of Mr. John Hieron with the characters and memorials of ten other worthy ministers of Jesus Christ / written by Mr. Robert Porter ...

I Must desire to see you: but it is thought not advisable for me to take such a journey at first, not having been on horse back since my late sickness. I am sorry to hear you are ill again, being but lately recovered from an ill fit. Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and is full of trouble. And because it is unknown to us, which sickness is, or may

prove our last, it is wisdom to improve the present, as a warning to us, So to number our dayes, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom, to consider our latter end, and Eternity that follows after. Set thy house in order: for thou shalt dye, and not live, saith the Prophet from God to Hezekiah, much more should we set our Souls in order, and see that we be on good terms with God, ere we appear before his judgment-seat. Which we must do the first moment after the departing of the Soul out of the body. Heb. 9. 27. This is a work so necessary to be done in time, that it is not, ought not to be put off, till a sick bed; yet it must then be revived, and renewed, and then done in the best manner, as being the last time of doing it, and what is then done is like to stand for ever. In order thereunto reflect, and look back into the former part of your life. Begin at your birth sin, and corruption of nature. Bewail that, and lament over it, so go on to the sins of youth▪ and be humbled for them, and so come a long to the sins of age, and riper years, confess and bewail them with their agravating circumstances, as being committed against light, know∣ledge, and checks of Conscience, and done with deliberation. By this means you will find ease and rest to your Soul, according to that promise, Mat. 11. 29. If you cast your weary burden upon the Lord Jesus Christ, he will stand between you and his fathers wrath, he will take all your debts upon him, and say as Rebeckah to Jacob, upon me be thy curse, my Son. Fresh sorrow for old sins, Repentance renewed will make Christ sweet, and sin bitter to you, and affect you more in his love in dying for you. This will be a good evidence to you, that your sins are forgiven. Namely if you confess them with a broken and penitent heart, and for∣sake them with detestation. And now is a fit time for you to look up your evidences for Heaven, that so you may not be afraid to dye, but may look Death in the face with comfort. If you say how may I be assured, that my sins are forgiven, and that Christ is mine. To the first, I have answered already; He that confesseth, and forsaketh his sin, shall find mercy, Prov. 28. 13. If we confess our sins, (by faith resting on Christ for pardon) he is faithful, and just to forgive us. To the second, How may I know that Christ is mine? Thus, Are you you his? Are you willing? Do you consent to have him on his own terms, for your Lord? and do you obey him as your Lord? Do you take his yoak up∣on you? have you respect to all his commandments? Do you hate every evil way, John 15. 14. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I com∣mand you. Do you chuse the Lord for your portion, Christ for your bliss and happiness? Do you more highly prize him, and desire to enjoy him more, than all riches? Do you account all things but loss and dung in comparison of him? Had you rather be the most holy person upon Earth, than the greatest, or richest, that ever was? And do you use diligence in the means of grace, to attain to more holiness? If so you

may without doubt, be well assured, your Estate is good and safe. For you could not have chosen God, and loved Christ, unless he had chosen and loved you first. Dwell therefore in the thoughts, and tastes of Gods love to you. Say, how wonderful is Gods love to a poor worm and silly dust! That the contrivance of infinite wisdom should be taken up about me! That the eternall Deity should consult about my salvation, ere the world began! That God should pass by many wise men after the flesh, many mighty, and noble, (who if they had been converted, might have done God better service an hundred times then I) and make choise of me, a dispicable sinner, to be an Heir of salvation. Lord what is man &c. Thus raise up your heart in thankful admiration of Gods wonderful love to your Soul. And Thirdly the assurance of Gods love will incourage your heart against the fear of death, and give you confidence against the King of terrors. I shall be glad to hear of your recovery; though I thus write, I commend you to God, and if I never see you in this world, I hope to meet you with other dear friends, who are gone before, in those mansions, which Christ hath purchased, and prepared for all those that love him, to whose grace I refer you,

Yours J. H.

May 31. 81.