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Methinks I live becalm'd in his bosom as Luther, in such a case. I am not much concerned, let Christ see to it, I know prophecies are now dark, and the books are sealed, and men have all been deceived, and every cistern fails, yet God doth continue faithful and faithful is he that promised, who will do it. I believe these dark times are the womb of a bright morning. Many things more I might have said, but enough for the present.
Oh ! Brother, keep close to God, and then you need fear nothing. Maintain secret and intimate communion with God and then a little of the creature will go a great way. Take time for private duties; crowd not religion into a corner of the day. There is a Dutch proverb, Nothing is got by thieving, nor lost by praying. Lay up all your good in God, for as to overbalance the sweetness and bitterness of all creatures — Spend no time anxiously in forehand contrivances for the world, they never succeed; God will run his dispensations another way: Self-contrivances are the effects of unbelief I can speak from experience. Would men spend those hours they run in plots and devices, in
