Thy late _sudden_ and _dangerous Sicknesse_, and the _Lords_ most _gracious_ and _speedy raising_ thee up from the _gates_ and _jawes_ of _Death_: as they were wonderfull in thine _own_, and others _eyes_, so I hope, and earnestly desire, they may be ever in our _thoughts_, as a _warning_ from _Heaven_ to make ready for a sudden _call_ to be gone from hence: to live the rest of our _short uncertaine span_, more as _strangers_, longing and breathing after another _Home_ and _Country_; To cast off our _great cares_ and _fears_ and _desires_ and _joyes_ about this _Candle_ of this _vaine life_, that is so soon _blowne_ out, and to trust in the living _God_, of whose wonderfull power and mercy thou hast had so much and so late _experience_, which must make thee sing with _David_ (_Psal. 103_.) _Blesse the Lord O my Soul, and all that is within me blesse his holy Name: Blesse the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth thine infirmities: who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindnesse_. My _dear Love_, since it pleaseth the _Lord_ so to dispose of me, and of my affairs at present, that I cannot often see thee, I desire often to send to thee. I now send thee that which I know will be sweeter to thee then the _Honey_ and the _Honey-combe_, and stronger refreshment then the strongest _wines_ or _waters_, and of more value then if every line and letter were thousands of _gold_ and _silver_. _Hezekiah_ upon his _recovery_ from his _sicknesse_, made a _writing_ (_Isai. 38_.) as an _everlasting monument_ of his _praise_ unto _God_, and as a _Goad_ or _spur_ to _himselfe_ and _others_ in the _wayes of godlinesse_ for the future. Thy _holy_ and _humble_ desires are _strong_, but I know thy _writing_ is slow, and that thou wilt gladly accept of this my _poore helpe_, which with _humble thankefulnesse_ and _praise_ to the _Lord_, I humbly tender to his _holy service_, and thine in him. [Sidenote: The outward and inner man.] I send thee (though in _Winter_) an handfull of _flowers_ made up in a little _Posey_, for thy dear selfe, and our dear children, to look and smell on, when _I as the grasse of the field shall be gone, and withered_. Wee know how it pleaseth the _spirit_ of _God_ to distinguish between the _outward_ and the _inner_ man, _2 Cor. 4_. [Though our _outward_ man perish; yet our _inner_ is renewed day by day:] It hath pleased the most _high_ to cast downe thy _outward_ man, and againe graciously to lift him up, and thereby to teach us both, to examine and try the _health_, and _strength_, and _welfare_ of the _inner_.