*God forbid that there should be a lying tongue, or any way of deceit in your shops: that his service should give place to the world in your families. Far be it from any of you, my brethren, that you should be careful to teach your children and servants the way of your callings, and neglect to instruct them in the way of life. Is weekly catechising in every one of your families? The Lord convince any of you that may be guilty of this neglect: Oh, set up God in your houses; and see that you be not slovenly in closet performances. Beware of serving the Lord negligently; serve not the Lord with that which costs you nothing: look to it that you content not yourselves with a cheap and easy religion. Put your flesh to it: be well assured that the religion that costs you nothing, will yield you nothing: Keep up the life of religion in your family and closet duties. Fear nothing like a customary and careless performance of God’s service. Judge your ownselves whether lazy wishes, idle complaints, and yawning prayers are like to carry you through the mighty difficulties that you must get through, if ever you come to heaven. When you find yourselves going on in a listless, heartless course, ask yourselves, is this to take the kingdom of heaven by violence? See that you sacrifice yourselves to the Lord, that now you live to Christ himself. As Christ hath made over his life and death to you, so let it be your care to live and die to him. Labour to look upon all your enjoyments as Christ’s goods; upon your time, parts, strength, as his talents: look upon yourselves only in the quality of servants and stewards, that are to husband all these for your Lord’s advantage, and as those that must give an account. And pray for me that I may take the counsel that I give. I bless the Lord, I want nothing but the opportunity of being serviceable to you: but I hope the Lord will make my bonds for you, to be useful to your edification; if I may glorify God, and serve you best by being here, I shall never wish to come out. Finally brethren, farewell: be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you. I am, _The ready servant of your faith and joy_, JOS. ALLEINE. _From the prison at |Ivelchester|, October 14th, 1663._ LETTER IX. [On daily self-examination.] _To the most beloved people, the flock of Christ in |Taunton|, salvation_. _Most dear brethren_, BRETHREN how stands it with you? Doth the main work go on? do your souls prosper? This is my care; beware that you flag not, that you faint not now in the evil day. I understand that your dangers grow upon you. May your faith and courage grow much more abundantly!