*3. _To converse often with your dust._ Brethren, we are going; the grave waiteth for us: O forget not that corruption is your father, and the worm your mother, and your sister! These are your kindred that you must shortly dwell with, when you come to your long home. Remember the days of darkness which shall be many. Take every day some serious turns with death. Think where you shall be a few days hence. Happy he that knew not what to-morrow meant for twenty years together. Believe it, you will find it no little thing to die. Think often how you are provided. Were you never within sight of death? How did it look? What did you wish for most at that time? What did then trouble you most? Oh mark these things, and live accordingly. Often ask your hearts, What if God should this night require my soul? *4. _To serve your generation with your might while you have time._ You have but a very little time to bring God any glory here, or to do your friends any good. Now up and be doing. Now or never live in the deep and constant sense of the very little time that you have for this world, and the great work you have to do. You are going whence you shall not return. There’s no after-game to be played. What! But one cast for eternity, and will you not be careful to throw that well? Most dearly beloved, I covet after your furtherance in mortification, and growth in grace. And oh that I could represent death unto you, as it will shew shortly itself: or could but open a window into eternity to you: How effectually would this do the work! Then the cripple would fling away his crutches, the slothful would pluck his hand out of his bosom, and shake off his excuses, and be night and day at his work. Then the _Laodicean_ would be recovered from his ♦benumbed frame; then we should have no halving in religion, no lazy wishing and complaining; but men would ply the oars to purpose, and sweat at their work. ♦ “benummed” replaced with “benumbed” Brethren, lift up yourselves above the objects of sense; be men for eternity, and carry it like those that seek for glory, honour, and immortality. I commend you to divine grace; and am _Your’s in the bonds of the gospel of our Lord Jesus_, JOS. ALLEINE. _From the common gaol at |Ivelchester|, March 5, 1665._ LETTER XVIII. _To the loving and most beloved people, the servants of God in |Taunton|, grace and peace._ _Most dearly beloved_,