Secondly, _Labour to keep alive in yourselves a deep sense of your strong obligations to God_. Often think with yourselves, what a reasonable thing it is, that you should with all you have serve the Lord. Beloved, shall not the vessel be for the use of the potter that made it? Shall not the servant trade for his master with whose goods he is entrusted? Do you not fetch all your bread from God’s door? Is not he the author of our being and well-being? Is it not from him that you fetch every breath? Your interest obliges you to please him. Why should _Belshazzer_’s charge be against you? That the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified, _Daniel v. 23._ Thirdly, _Every morning let this be your first and firm resolution, I will set forth this day in the name of God_. Your first and last thoughts are of the greatest consequence, and therefore I advise you to begin and end with this; whenever you lie down, say in yourselves, I will make use of my bed as an ordinance of God, that I may be refreshed and fitted for his work: whenever you rise up, think, I will spend this day for God, and follow the business of my calling, because I am so appointed by God. Beloved, I design the sweetness and comfort, as well as strictness of your lives. Live to God as you are directed, and you shall marvellously prosper in both. I am not sure yet whether or no I shall see you at the assizes. I leave all things to your Father’s wise disposal, and commending you to God, I rest _Your’s in the bonds of the Lord Jesus_, JOS. ALLEINE. _From the prison at |Ivelchester|, November 14, 1663._ LETTER XIII. _To the beloved people, the flock of God in |Taunton|, grace and peace_. _Most dear friends and brethren_, I HAVE sent these few lines, to beseech you by these bonds, which I gladly endure for your sakes, to hold forth, and hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering. The Lord make you stedfast in the holy doctrine wherein you have been taught. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. O remember, that by the space of eight years, I ceased not to warn you every one, and kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have taught you publickly, and from house to house, warning every man, and teaching every man, that I might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. You that have taken upon you the profession of strict godliness, I shall only press you to press towards the mark. You have much work to do, and God hath given you no time to loiter in. I beseech you to put on. That person that sits down when he hath gotten to that pitch that he thinks will bring him to heaven, is never like to come thither: grace is one of those things that saith, _It never hath enough_. Let me urge upon you the apostle’s counsel, _Follow after holiness_.