LETTER X. [Motives and marks of growth.] _To the most loving and best beloved, the servants of Christ in |Taunton|, grace and peace._ _Most dear and tender friends_: WHOSE I am, and whom under God I desire to serve; to build you up in holiness, and comfort, hath been through grace my great ambition. This is that which I laboured for; this is that which I suffer for: and in short, the end of all my applications to you, and to God for you. How do your souls prosper? Are they in a thriving case? What progress do you make in sanctification? Doth the house of _Saul_ grow weaker and weaker, and the house of _David_ stronger and stronger? Behold, I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy, lest any of you should lose ground in these declining times: and therefore cannot but be often calling upon you to look to your standing, and to watch and hold fast, that no man take your crown. Ah! How surely shall you reap in the end, if you faint not! Take heed therefore that you lose not the things you have wrought, but as you have begun well, so go on in the strength of Christ, and give diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end. Do you need motives? 1. _How much are you behind hand?_ Oh the fair advantages that we have lost! What time, what sabbaths, sermons, sacraments, are upon the matter lost? How much work have we yet to do? Are you sure of heaven yet? Are you fit to die yet? Surely they that are under so many great wants, had need to set upon some more thriving courses. Secondly, _Consider what others have gained, whilst we it may be sit down by the loss_: Have we not met many vessels richly laden, while our souls are empty? Oh, the golden prizes that some have won? While we have folded the hands to sleep! Have not many of our own standing in religion, left us far behind them? *Thirdly, _Consider you will all find little enough when you come to die_: The wise among the virgins have no oil to spare, at the coming of the bridegroom; temptation and death will put all your graces to it. How much ado have many had at last to put into this harbour! _David_ cries for respite, till he had recovered a little more strength. Fourthly, _Consider how short your time for gathering in probably is_? The Israelites gathered twice so much manna against the sabbath as they did at other times, because at that time there was no manna fell. Brethren, you know not how long you have to lay in for. Do you ask for marks how you may know your souls to be in a thriving case? _First, If your appetites be more strong._ Do you thirst after God and after grace, more than heretofore? Do your cares for and desires after the world abate? And do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Whereas you were wont to come with an ill-will to holy duties, do you come to them as an hungry stomach to its meat?