WORTHY and dearly beloved in the Lord, grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I received your letter. I wish that I could satisfy your desire in drawing up, and framing for you, a Christian directory. But the learned have done it before me, more judiciously than I can; especially Mr. Rogers, Greenham, and Perkins. Notwithstanding, I shall show you what I would have been at myself; howbeit I came always short of my purpose.
- That hours of the day, less or more time, for the Word and prayer, be given to God; not sparing the twelfth hour, or mid-day, howbeit it should then be the shorter time. 2. In the midst of worldly employments, there should be some thoughts of sin, death, judgment and eternity, with at least a word or two of ejaculatory prayer to God. 3. To beware of wandering of heart in private prayers. 4. Not to grudge, howbeit ye come from prayer without sense of joy. Downcasting, sense of guiltiness, and hunger, are often best for us. 5. That the Lord’s Day, from morning to night, be spent either in private or public worship. 6. That words be observed, wandering and idle thoughts be avoided, sudden anger and desire of revenge, even of such as persecute the truth, be guarded against; for we often mix our zeal with our wild-fire. 7. That known, discovered, and revealed sins, that are against the conscience, be eschewed, as most dangerous preparatives to hardness of heart, 8. That in dealing with men, faith and truth in covenants and trafficking be regarded, that we deal with all men in sincerity; that conscience be made of idle and lying words; and that our carriage be such, as that they who see it may speak honourably of our sweet Master and profession. 9. I have been much challenged— (1) For not referring all to God as the last end; that I do not eat, drink, sleep, journey, speak, and think for God. (2) That I have not benefited by good company; and that I left not some word of conviction, even upon natural and wicked men, as by reprovings swearing in them; or because of being a silent witness to their loose carriage; and because I intended not in all companies to do good. (3) That the woes and calamities of the kirk, and of particular professors have not moved me. (4) That at the reading of the life of David, Paul and the like, when it humbled me, I (coming so far short of their holiness) laboured not to imitate them, afar off at least, according to the measure of God’s grace. (5) That unrepented sins of youth were not looked to, and lamented for. (6) That sudden stirrings of pride, lust, revenge, love of honours, were not resisted and mourned for. (7) That my charity was cold. (8) That the experiences I had of God’s hearing me, in this and the other particular being gathered, yet in a new trouble I had always (once at least) my faith to seek, as if I were to begin at A, B, C again. (9) That I have not more boldly contradicted the enemies speaking against the truth, either in public church meetings, or at tables, or ordinary conference. (10) That in great troubles I have received false reports of Christ’s love, and misbelieved Him in His chastening; whereas the event hath said, “All was in mercy.” (11) Nothing more moveth me, and weighteth my soul, than that I could never from my heart, in my prosperity, so wrestle in prayer with God, nor be so dead to the world, so hungry and sick of love for Christ, so heavenly-minded, as when ten stone-weight of a heavy cross was upon me. (12) That the cross extorted vows of new obedience, which ease hath blown away, as chaff before the wind. (13) That practice was so short and narrow, and light so long and broad. (14) That death hath not been often meditated upon. (15) That I have not been careful of gaining others to Christ. (16) That my grace and gifts bring forth little or no thankfulness.
There are some things, also, whereby I have been helped, as:— (1) I have been benefited by riding alone a long journey, in giving that time to prayer. (2) By abstinence, and giving days to God. (3) By praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them, I have often gotten something for myself. (4) I have been really confirmed, in many particulars, that God heareth prayers; and, therefore, I used to pray for anything, of little importance soever. (5) He enabled me to make no question, that this mocked way, which is nicknamed, is the only way to heaven.
Sir, these and many other occurrences in your life, should be looked into, and (1) Thoughts of Atheism should be watched over, as, “If there be a God in heaven?” which will trouble and assault the best at some times. (2) Growth in grace should be cared for above all things; and falling from our first love mourned for. (3) Conscience made of praying for the enemies who are blinded.
Sir, I thank you most kindly for the care of my brother, and of me also. I hope it is laid up for you, and remembered in heaven. I am still ashamed with Christ’s kindness to such a sinner as I am. He hath left a fire in my heart, that hell cannot cast water on, to quench or extinguish it. Help me to praise, and pray for me, for ye have a prisoner’s blessing and prayers. Remember my love to your wife. Grace be with you. Yours in Christ Jesus, S. R.