LETTER XXVII. _Dear Cousin_, THE welcome tidings of your safe arrival at _Barbadoes_ is come to my ears; as also the news of your escape from a perilous sickness, for which I bless the Lord. I have considered, that God had bereft you of a careful father, and that your mother takes but little care for you; so that you have none nearer than myself to watch for your soul, and to charge and admonish you in the Lord. But yet, be not discouraged by these things, but look to heaven, fly unto Jesus, put away every known sin, set upon the conscientious performance of every known duty; make Christ your choice, embrace him upon his own terms; deliver up yourself, body and soul to him: see that you have no reserves nor limitations in your choice of him; give him your very heart; cast away your worldly hopes and expectations, make religion your business. These things do, and you shall be sure of a friend in heaven; and, if I may be any comfort to you, you shall not fail, while I live, to have one friend on earth to care for you. You are gone far from me, even to the uttermost parts of the earth: but I have sent these letters to call after you; yea, not only to call, but to cry in your ears. O what is like to become of your soul! Where is that immortal soul of yours like to be lodged for ever? Amongst devils or angels? Upon a bed of flames, or in the joys of paradise? Go aside; retire from the noise of the world, and say to yourself, _Oh my soul! Whither art thou going? Do not I know, that I must be converted or condemned? That I must be sanctified, or I can never be saved?_ Oh my soul! What seekest thou? What is my chief care? Is it for this world, or the world to come? Do I first seek the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof? Do I think heaven will drop into my mouth? That glory and immortality will be got with a wet finger, with cold prayers, and heartless wishes, while the world has my heart? Do I think to be crowned, and yet never fight? To gain the race and never run? To enter at the strait gate, and never strive? To overcome principalities and powers, and never wrestle? No, no; Oh my soul, either lay by the hopes of heaven for ever, or rouse up thyself, put forth thy strength after God and glory. Either lay by thy worldly hopes, or thy hopes of immortality; away with thy sins, or let Christ go for ever. Think not to have Christ and the world too, to serve God and mammon: if thou follow the world, thou must die: the Lord hath spoken it, and all the world can never reverse it. Thus reason the case with your own soul, and give not rest to thyself night nor day, till you are gotten off from the world, broken off from every known sin, and got safe into Christ.