524 AN EPISTLE TO THE wrath of malignant opposers of the preaching of Christ's gospel are, nothing to me : but when the world of spi- sits disappears, or my soul is clouded, and reeeiveth not the vital illuminating influences of heaven, I grow cold, first to myself; and there to others. Come then, poor sinners, and help us, who are wil- ling at any time to help you. As we first crave God's help, so we next crave yours : help us, for we cannot serve you against your wills, nor save you without you consent and help. God himself will not save you without you; and how shall we? We know that the devil is against us, and will do his utmost to hinder us; and so will all his ministers, by what names or titles soever dignified or distinguished. But all this is nothing; if you will but take our parts; I mean, if yù will take Christ's part and your 'own, and will not be against yourselves. Men or devils cannot either help or, hinder us in saving you; as you may do yourselves: if God and you be for us, who shall be against us. And will you help us? Give over striving against God and conscience : give over fighting against Christ and his Spirit : take no more part with the world and flesh, which in your baptism you renounced : set your . hearts to the message which we bring; allow it your manlike sober thought, search the scriptures, and see whether the things we speak be so or no. We offer you nothing but what we have resolvedly chosen ourselves,, and that after the most serious deliberation we can make. . We have many times looked round about us, to know what is the happiness of man ; and had we found better for ourselves, we had offered bet- ter to. you. If this world would have served our turns, it would have served yours also, and we would not have troubled you with that talk of anOther world; but it will not, I am sure it will not, serve your turns to make you happy, nor shall you long make that self - deceiving`shift with it as now ye do. But if you will not think of these things, if you will not use the reason of men, alas ! what can we do to save your souls? 0 pity them, Lord, that they may
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