Fulfil you then my joy, by continuing thus minded, and labour to go on to perfection. For I shall have no greater pleasure than to see, or hear, that you walk in the truth.
Consider, my good friends, you are now, as it were, entering on a new world, where you will be surrounded with multitudes of heathens; and if you take not heed to “have your conversation honest amongst them,” and to “walk worthy of the holy vocation wherewith you are called,” you will act the hellish part of _Herod_’s soldiers over again; and cause CHRIST’s religion, as they did his person, to be had in derision of those that are round about you.
Consider further, what peculiar privileges you have enjoyed, above many others that are entering on the same land. They have had, as it were, a famine of the word, but you have rather been in danger of being surfeited with your spiritual manna. And, therefore, as more instructions have been given you, so from you, men will most justly expect the greater improvement in goodness.
Indeed, I cannot say, I have discharged my duty towards you as I ought. No, I am sensible of many faults in my ministerial office, and for which I have not failed, nor, I hope, ever shall fail, to humble myself in secret before GOD. However, this I can say, that except a few days that have been spent necessarily on other persons, whom GOD immediately called me to write and minister unto, and the two last weeks wherein I have been confined by sickness; all the while I have been aboard, I have been either actually engaged in, or preparing myself for instructing you. And though you are now to be committed to the care of another (whose labours I heartily beseech GOD to bless amongst you) yet I trust I shall, at all seasons, if need be, willingly spend, and be spent, for the good of your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I should be loved.
As for your military affairs, I have nothing to do with them. Fear GOD, and you must honour the King. Nor am I well acquainted with the nature of that land which you are now come over to protect; only this I may venture to affirm in the general, that you must necessarily expect upon your arrival at a new colony, to meet with many difficulties. But your very profession teaches you to endure hardship; “be not, therefore, faint-hearted, but quit yourselves like men, and be strong,” _Numbers_ xiv. Be not like those cowardly persons, who were affrighted at the report of the false spies, that came and said, that there were people tall as the _Anakims_ to be grappled with, but be ye like unto _Caleb_ and _Joshua_, all heart; and say, we will act valiantly, for we shall be more than conquerors over all difficulties through JESUS CHRIST that loved us. Above all things, my brethren, take heed, and beware of murmuring, like the perverse _Israelites_, against those that are set over you; and “learn, whatsoever state you shall be in, therewith to be content,” _Philippians_ iv. 11.
As I have spoken to you, I hope your wives also will suffer the word of exhortation,
Your behaviour on shipboard, especially the first part of the voyage, I chuse to throw a cloak over; for to use the mildest terms, it was not such as became the gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. However, of late, blessed be GOD, you have taken more heed to your ways, and some of you have walked all the while, as became “women professing godliness.” Let those accept my hearty thanks, and permit me to intreat you all in general, as you are all now married, to remember the solemn vow you made at your entrance into the marriage state, and see that you be subject to your own husbands, in every lawful thing: Beg of GOD to keep the door of your lips, that you offend not with your tongues; and walk in love, that your prayers be not hindered. You that have children, let it be your chief concern to breed them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. And live all of you so holy and unblameable, that you may not so much as be suspected to be unchaste; and as some of you have imitated _Mary Magdalen_ in her sin, strive to imitate her also in her repentance.
As for you, sailors, what shall I say? How shall I address myself to you? How shall I do that which I so much long to do; touch your hearts? Gratitude obliges me to wish thus well to you. For you have often taught me many instructive lessons, and reminded me to put up many prayers to GOD for you, that you might receive your spiritual sight.