Hence, my dear children, press through the strait gate, for strait and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it, and still less that walk it; but wide and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that walk therein. Matt. 7:13,14.
Therefore, my children, heed the chastening and instruction of the Lord, and bow your shoulders under his yoke and easy burden, and bear it patiently from your youth, thanking him with great honor, for he receives no sons whom he does not chasten, for if you forsake chastisement after this manner, whereof we all are become partakers, you are not children, but bastards, and you shall be cast out of your Father’s inheritance. Heb. 12:6.
Hence, my dear children, gird your loins, and follow Christ, and neither fear nor rest till you have found this way. And search the Scriptures: they shall show you the way of life, for the angel says to Esdras: Behold, a city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good things: the entrance thereof is narrow, and set in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water: and one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once. If this city now were given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive this inheritance? 2 Esd. 7:6–9. Behold, my children, this way has no retreats; there are also no by-ways, that lie on the right hand or on the left; this is the way which is found by so few, and trod by still fewer; yea, there are indeed some that see it who well know that this is the way unto life, but it is too hard for them; it hurts them far too much.
Therefore, my children, regard not the great multitude, neither walk in their ways; refrain your feet from their path, for they go to hell, even as sheep to the slaughter, as the prophet Isaiah tells us, saying: “Hell hath opened wide her mouth, that there may enter in the princes of the earth, and the common people.” For it is a people of no understanding; therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them. Prov. 1:15; Isa. 59:7; 5:14; 27:11.
But, my children, remember what I write, and wherever you hear that there is a plain, rejected little flock, that is despised and cast out by this world; join them; and wherever you hear of the cross of Christ, depart not away. But flee the shadow of this world, go to God; fear him alone; keep his commandments; remember all his words to do after them; write them upon the tables of your heart, and bind them on your forehead, and speak of his statutes night and day, and you shall be a pleasant branch in the garden of the Lord, yea, a beloved plant growing up in Zion.
My children, call the fear of the Lord your Father, and wisdom and understanding shall be your mother. If you do this, my children, the Lord shall bless you, and sanctify your body for his service, that his name may be sanctified through you, and magnified to his glory. Confess him before men, that he may also confess you before his heavenly Father. Yea, forsake your life, my children, rather than that you should depart from the truth. And follow me; I go before you as a valiant soldieress, who is prepared for the war or conflict of the Lord, that I may deliver up my life for the name of the Lord. My children, I, your mother, the instrument whereby you have been brought into this sorrowful world, desire your salvation. Believe me what I write you and have left you, and no one else, except what they say agrees with the holy Scriptures. If you do this, you shall come to me, and I to you. If you lose your body, which is of the earth, the Lord has prepared you a better in heaven. Hence, my children, strive valiantly unto death for the truth and for righteousness, and arm yourselves with the armor of God, that you may be found valiant Israelites; trample down the world and all unrighteousness that is therein; love or seek only that which is above, and remember that you are not of the world, even as your Lord and Master was also not of the world. John 15:19; 17:16. And be diligent, that you too may be found disciples; whatsoever you shall ask then, shall be done unto you; for no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, for the true worshipers shall worship God in Spirit and in truth; for these Christ prayed, and not for the world, for when the world prays, it calls upon the devil, and they desire that his will be done in them. John 15:7; 1 Cor. 12:3; John 4:23; 17:9. Hence, my dear children, do not become conformed to it; flee from it, and have no fellowship with it. Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:11. Regard not what is fair to the eyes, for it is all vanity; seek only those things which are above, and set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth. Col. 3:1,2. Let your eyes ever look to the Lord and always labor with prayer and supplication, that you may ever be with him in heart. Heb. 12:2. Let your laughter be turned to weeping, for we are pilgrims here upon earth; and let there be nothing in this world, which can rejoice you, for it is all vanity, and passes away. Jas. 4:9; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Cor. 4:18. Beware of covetousness with regard to earthly riches, for this is the true foundation of perdition. Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:9. Remember me. The Lord cause you to walk in his fear, and fill you with his Holy Spirit and sanctify your understanding and mind. My children, be circumspect in all your conversation, and whatsoever you do, therein let the name of the Lord be praised and blessed. Col. 3:17. And guard your lips, that you may not take the name of God into your mouth in vain, for this is a great unrecognized sin; and do not use the name of God, except you do it with great reverence, with bended knees, and with uncovered head, or it will be accounted ill to you. Ex. 20:7. Pray God that you may learn to know him, and be not ashamed to confess and honor him, who can save your souls; for the Lord will not tolerate that his people deny him, for it is enough that the world dishonors and denies him; hence let us honor, praise and glorify his holy name with the whole heart, for it is written, that whosoever takes the name of the Lord in vain is worthy of death.