Finally, I would drop a word to YOU, who have been lately called out into the highways and hedges, and have been honoured as instruments to compel many poor sinners to come in. Against you, my brethren, his Lordship’s charge seems to be particularly levelled. But I am persuaded you will be nothing terrified thereby, since you know, I believe, by happy experience, what it is to have the hidden mysteries of the kingdom of GOD opened to your souls, and to have the Comforter come and abide with you. You have often felt his blessed influences, whilst you have been praying to that GOD whom you serve, dealing out the bread of life in his name to the people. Ye are highly favoured. Having believed, ye speak, and in your degree can say with our Saviour, “We speak the things that we know.” GOD, who hath commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone into your hearts with the light of the glorious gospel. Put not therefore this light under a bushel, but preach the word; “Be ye instant in season and out of season; rebuke, reprove, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Do the office of evangelists, and make full proof of your ministry.” And whilst others are calling for miracles from you, to prove that you are sealed and sent by the Spirit, do you labour after the conversion of precious souls as seals of your mission, who shall be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the LORD JESUS. Whilst others are approving themselves ministers of CHRIST, by _dignities_ and great _preferments_, do you approve yourselves as the ministers of GOD in much _patience_, &c. See _2 Corinthians_ vi. 4‒8. Set the glorious company of the Apostles, the goodly fellowship of the Prophets, and the noble army of martyrs always before you. O think how ♦abundant they were in labours, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft, and how they rejoiced when they were counted worthy to suffer shame for JESUS CHRIST’s sake. Above all, look ye unto JESUS the author and finisher of your faith; consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds. Are you esteemed mad? So was he. Are you termed deceivers of the people? So was he. Are ye looked upon as actuated by an evil spirit? He was called _Beelzebub_, the very chief of the devils. Are ye thrust out of the synagogues? So was he. Do men hunt for your precious lives? So they did for his. The _Jews_ sought often to kill him, but they could not, because his hour was not yet come: and so it shall be with you. You are immortal till your work is done. The witnesses shall not be slain till their testimony is finished. Set your faces therefore as flints: let your brows be harder than adamant: fear not the faces of men, lest GOD confound you before them. Give not place to those who oppose the operations of the Spirit, no not for an hour. Go ye forth in the strength of the LORD, making mention of his righteousness, and his only. Remember that blessed promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” JESUS is the same now as he was yesterday. And if you are really thrust out into the harvest by JESUS, he will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist. You see how dreadfully the scriptures are interpreted. Give yourselves therefore to reading. Search the scriptures. But above all things, pray that ye may be taught of GOD: without which, notwithstanding all critical and human learning, you will never be scribes well instructed to the kingdom of heaven. Continue to go out into the highways and hedges. Consider what multitudes there are around you every where, ready to perish for lack of knowledge. And though your enemies, for want of arguments, should so far prevail, as to bring you before governors for so doing, fear not, for it shall be given you, as well as unto the first preachers of the everlasting gospel, what ye shall speak. O men, greatly beloved, my heart is enlarged towards you. Give me leave to say unto you, as the angel did to _Daniel_, “Be strong,” yea be strong: quit yourselves like men: put on the whole armour of GOD. And then, though you should be cast into a den of lions, that GOD whom you serve, is able, and will deliver you. Though afflicted, destitute, tormented here on earth, verily great shall be your reward in heaven.
♦ “abundandant” replaced with “abundant”
And now, my _reverend brethren_, to whom this letter is particularly inscribed, what shall I say more? I commend it, and you, to the great GOD, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I have written to you out of the fulness of my heart; and praying that GOD may give us a right judgment in all things, I beg leave to subscribe myself, (though the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints),
Your affectionate younger brother, and fellow-servant in the kingdom and patience of JESUS CHRIST,