spending hand? God is before-hand with you however: but I would have you principally to look forward. It is much that God hath laid out upon you; but who can tell what he hath laid up for them that fear him? And will you miss of all for want of patience? God forbid. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth, and hath long patience, ’till he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. What, shall the husbandman have more patience for the fruits of the earth, than you for the precious fruits of your faith? The husbandman hath no such certainty as you: he hath but a probability of an harvest, and yet he hath patience; he is content to venture. He is at great pains, and much cost; he is still laying out, and hath nothing coming in, and yet he is content to wait for his reimbursement, ’till the corn be grown. But your harvest is more sure, as sure as the infallible promise, the immutable oath of God. Again, the husbandman hath no such increase to look for as you. If he were sure, that every corn would bear a crown, with what joy, rather than patience, would he go through all his cost and labour? Why, brethren, such is a believer’s increase. Every grain shall produce a crown; and every tear shall bring forth a pearl; and every minute in pains or prayers, an age of joy and glory. Beside, the husbandman hath long patience, and will not you have a little patience? It is not long patience that God doth expect of you: for behold the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Will the garrison yield when relief is at hand? Or the merchant give up his hopes, when within sight of the harbour? Or will the husbandman give up all for lost, when he sees the fields white for harvest? And shall he do more for a crop of corn, than you will do for a crop of glory? Far be it. Behold the Judge is at the door. The Lord is at hand. He cometh quickly, and his reward is with him. He comes with the crown in his hand, to set upon the head of patience. Therefore cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. The prisoners of the Lord, your brethren in the patience of Jesus, can tell you, it is good suffering for such a master. We must tell you, as they said to our Lord in another case, He is worthy for whom you should do this. God is beyond measure gracious to us here. He shines bright into our prison. He waters us from heaven and earth. As we trust, you forget not the poor prisoners, when you pray, so we would that many thanksgivings should abound in our behalf. And prayer being the only key that can open our prisons, we trust you will pray and not faint. Farewell, dear brethren, Fare ye well in the Lord, I am, _An unworthy embassador of Jesus, in bonds_, JOS. ALLEINE. _From the Prison at |Ivelchester|, October 28, 1663._ LETTER XXIV.