The Conſolations of the Holy Ghoſt, be multiplied upon you, in Chriſt Jeſus.
OFTEN and many times, Chriſtian and elect lady, I have deſired the opportunity to be comforted, with that conſolation, wherewith it hath pleaſed God, of his free grace and mercy, to fill and furniſh you. Your remembrance is very ſweet and comfortable to my very ſoul; ſince the firſt time I knew you in Chriſt Jeſus, I have ever been mindful of you unto the Lord, and now, not being able to refrain any longer, I could not omit this occaſion; not knowing how long it may pleaſe the Lord to continue my being in this tabernacle, or give me further occaſion of writing to any.
Although I have not great matter at this time, yet in remembrance of your labour, of love, hope, and patience, I muſt needs ſalute your ladyſhip, knowing, aſſuredly, you are the choſen of God, ſet apart before ever the world was, to that glorious and eternal inheritance. Being thus comforted in your faith and hope, I am fully aſſured tho' we never have the occaſion of meeting here, yet we ſhall reign together in the world to come.
My deſire to remain here is not great, knowing that ſo long as I am in this houſe of clay, I am abſent from God; and if it were diſſolved, I look for a building not made with hands eternal in the heaven; in this I groan, I deſiring to be cloathed upon, with my bouſe which is in heaven, if ſo be that being cloathed, I ſhall not be found naked for I that am within this tabernacle, do often groan and ſigh within myſelf, being oftentimes burdened; not that I would be uncloathed, but cloathed upon; that mortality might be ſwallowed up of life. I long to eat of that tree which is planted in the midſt of the paradiſe of God, and to drink of the pure river, clear as cryſtal, that runs thro' the ſtreet of the New Jeruſalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall ſtand at the laſt dayupon the earth. And though after ſkin worms deſtroy my body, yet in my fleſh ſhall I ſee God, whom I ſhall ſee for myſelf, and not another for me; and my eyes ſhall behold him, though my reins be coſumed within me. I long to be refreſhed with the ſouls
