EPJST.IX. A I am boldand bufie incounfelling: you abound wirh better monirors;Jnd the bell you c•ry about, I hope, in yourowoe bofomc. Though rhtfe fi10uld be ncedlelfe,yer they argue my i)umble alfctliod" ~nd di(chJtge my duty. tv}y prayers are better then my counfells; both of \hem hcarry and unfain'd for your good. God guideand rctume you f.1fc, from a journey nor more happie and profp<rous then I wi!hir. To Sir R o B E R T D R v R Y, and his L A n Y. E p r s T. I X. Concerning my removal/fromthtm. B vv!Ih how unwilling a heart I leave you, he knowes th3t fearches the heart: Neirh<r dur!l I goe, but that I fenfibly fee his hand pulling me from you. Indeed, defire of comperencie betrayed me, at firft; 3nd drew mineeyes to looke afide : but, when I b~ntth~m upon the place, and faw the number and the needof•he people, together ~llh their hunger and applaufe,me;ting with the circumffances ofGods lli3nge conve~ance ofthiS offer to me;Ifaw,rhat was bur as rbe Fowkrsfeather,to make me ftoope :and, contemning that refpe~ of my felfe, I fincerely ocknowledged higher motives of my yeelding; and rofolved I might not rdill. You are deare to me, as a charge to a Pallor; If my paines ro you have not proved it, fufpetl me : Yet I leave you. God call• me to • greater worke: C I mull follow him: It were more eafe to me, to live fecrerly hidden in that quiet obfcurity, as Sa11l amoogft the lluffe, then to be drawne our to the eye oftheworld toatl (o high a part before a thoufand wirnelfes. In this point, if I feeme to negletl you,blame me not;I muftnegletl and forget my fdfe. I can but labour, wher<foever I am. God knowes how willingly I doe that; whether there or here. I !hall digge, anddelve, and plant, in what ground lliever my M1fter fets me. Ifhetakeme to a larger field, complaine you not ofloffe, while the Church maygaine. Bur, you are mine owneCharge; No wife father negletls his owne, in compallion of the greater need ofothers: yet confider,that even carefull Parents,when the Prince commands, leave their families, and goe to warfare. What if God bath called me to heaven· would you have grudged my departure~ Imagine I am there, where I fi1all be; a{ D thc:>ugh the cafe be ootro you altogether fo hopele(fe : for, nowI may heare of you vifityou, renue myholy~ounfds,and be muruallycomforted from you; there: none ofthcfe. He, that wrll oncerranfpofe me from eanh to hcaven,hath now cho· fen latranfpofe me from o~e peece ofearth to another :what is here worthy ofyour fortow, wonhy of ~omplamr ~ T_har !hould be for my owne good :this !hall be for thegood of many. If your expenence haver~ught you that my labours doe promife profit 1 obtaioe ofyourlelfe todeny your fdfe fa much, as to rejoyce th3t the loffe ofa few !hould be the advantage fo many foules. Though, why doe I fpeake of loffe ( I fpeake that as your feare , not my owne: and your alfctlion caufcth that feare;rather then the occ~on. The God ofthe Harveft !hall fend you a Labourer, more able, as carofull: That E is my prayer, and hope, and !hall be my joy. I dare not leave but in this cxpe~arion this affurance. What,ever become ofme, it !hall be my greateft comfort to h~; you.commendyour change ; and to fee your happy pmgr~• io.fhofe wayes I have botli !hewed }'QU, anci beaten. So !hallwe meet in the end, md never part. I rl· .I' . ,, A a Written
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