Some of your enemies, I hear, are in great hopes to satisfy their desires upon you. Well, be not discouraged my dear brethren, but bless the Lord, who of his abundant mercy, hath so remarkably preserved you so long beyond all expectation. Let it not be a strange thing to you, if the Lord doth now call you to some difficulty: forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. I plainly see the coal of religion will soon go out, unless it have some better helps to cherish it, than a carnal ministry, and lifeless administration. Dear brethren, now is the time for you that fear the Lord, to speak often one to another: manage your duties with what prudence you can, but away with that carnal prudence, that will decline duty to avoid danger. *I left you some helps for daily examination, I am jealous lest you should grow slack, or slight, and careless in that duty. Let me ask you in the name of the Lord, doth never a day pass you, but you solemnly and seriously call yourselves to an account, what your carriage hath been to God and men? Speak conscience? Is there never an one within the hearing of this letter, that is a neglecter of this duty? Doth every one of your consciences acquit you? Oh that they did! Tell me, would not some of you be put shrewdly to it, if I should ask you when you read, or thought over the questions that were given you for your help? Would you not be put to a blush, to give me an answer? And will you not be much more ashamed, that God should find you tardy? Not that I would necessarily bind you up to that very method; only till you have found a way more profitable, I would desire you, yea, I cannot but charge you, to make daily use of that. Awake conscience, and do thou fall upon that soul that thou findest careless in this work, and never let him be at rest till thou canst witness for him, that he is a _daily and strict observer of himself_, and doth live in the constant practice of this duty. What! Shall neither God’s charge nor your profit hold you to your work? Yet I may not doubt, but some of you do daily perform this duty. The Lord encourage you in it: yet give me leave to ask you what you have gained? Are you grown more universally conscientious, more strict, more humble, and more sensible of your many and great defects, than you were before? If so blessed are you of the Lord; if otherwise, this duty hath been but slightly performed by you. What can you say to this question? Doth your care of your ways abate or increase, by the constant use of this duty? If it abate, remember from whence you are fallen, and repent; as good not to do it at all, as not to the purpose. The Lord God be a sun and a shield to you. My most dear love to you all; fare you well in the Lord. I am, _Your embassador in bonds_, JOS. ALLEINE. _From the common gaol at |Ivelchester|, October 20, 1663._