Divine consolations for mourners in Sion being an extract of certain choyce epistles of dying martyrs to each other and to their fellow prisioners for the cause of Christ, in the times of cruell and fiery persecution, wherein is much variety of suitable matter of meditation for all such who are burthened under the pressure of their sins and sorrows in these evil times.

To my good Sister, Mrs. Cotton.

THe Peace of God in Jesus Christ, the eternall Comforts of his sweet Spirit, be with you my dear and faithfull Sister, to the full accomplishment of that good work which he hath most graciously begun in you, that the same may be effectuall to the setting forth of his glory, and to your everlasting Consolation in him. Amen.

My loving and faithfull Sister in the Lord, I thank you for all your loving kindness shewed unto me, but especially for your godly re∣membrance of me in your fervent and faithfull Prayers, and for your most godly and comfortable Letter, whereby you do not onely much in∣crease my joy and comfort, but also put me in remembrance of my duty towards you.

Blessed be the Lord our God, which of his great mercy hath so beau∣tified his Church in these dayes, that even unto many godly women he hath given most excellent gifts of knowledge and understanding of his Truth, so that they are not onely well able to inform their own Conscien∣ces in all things necessary to Salvation, but also most sweetly to comfort their sorrowfull Brethren and Sisters that sustain any trouble for the Testimony of Gods Truth; yea, and that which is more, even in the middest of their great Conflicts of Conscience. Of which most happy number of godly and virtuous women, my dear heart, you are one, and that of the chiefest, being plentifully endued with the gifts of Gods most gracious Spirit, as it doth full well appear in your daily doings: God onely have the praise therefore.

Forasmuch then as God hath given you the gift to write, I shall most heartily desire you to let me hear from you sometimes, be it never so little, for truly I t••ke great Comfort and Courage thereby, specially in

my poor Conscience, which is sore assaulted of subtile Satan, and in a manner oppressed of my sin. Pray, dear S ster, that God may give me true, hearty, and earnest Repentance, and increase my Faith, for they are both the good gifts of God onely, and farre pass the reach of my power, to take at my pleasure.

Therefore, dear Sister, if you w ll help me to beg the same of our dear loving Father, I am sure that he both can and will g••ve them me in his good time. And as for the fear of Death, or terrour of the Fire, I most heartily thank my good God I feel it not: onely it is mine own sins and unthankefulness which holdeth hard battel, and wageth strong warre against me, which onely goeth about to separate me from my good Captain Christ, that I should not enjoy his glorious victory; but God being on my side, (as I am sure he is) that cannot continually prev••il against me. Though God for a time permit Satan to take his pleasure on me, as he did upon Job, yet I doubt not but in the end all shall turn to my profit, through the Merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, To whose most mercifull defence I commit you, dear Sister, with all the rest of the Lords Elect. Farewell in Christ.

Your unfeignedly, John Careles. Pray, pray, pray, pray.

Notes

• Gods great gift in women.
• Note how God sometime giveth comfort by wea∣ker vessels.