Vol 16 - TO JOHN BELL, THE ELDER.

TO JOHN BELL, THE ELDER.
MY VERY LOVING FRIEND,
GRACE, mercy, and peace, be to you. I beseech you in the Lone. JESUS, to mind your country above; and now, when old age, the twilight going before the darkness of the grave, and the falling low of your sun before your night,—is come upon you, advise with CHRIST, ere you put your foot in the ship, and turn your back on this life. Many are beguiled with this, that they are free from. scandalous abominations: but the tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is for the fire; the man that is not born again, cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD; common honesty will not take men to heaven. Alas that men should think they ever met with CHRIST, who had never a sick night, -through the terrors of GOD, in their soul, or a sore heart for sin! I know, the LORD has given you light, and the knowledge of his will; but that is not all, neither will that do. I wish you an awakened soul, and that you may not beguile yourself in the matter of your salvation. My dear brother, search yourself with the candle of GOD; and try if the life of GOD and CHRIST be in you. Salvation is not cast to every man's door. Many are carried over sea and land, to a far country, in a ship, while they sleep much of the way; but men are not landed at heaven sleeping. The righteous are " scarcely saved; " and many run as fast as either you or I, who miss the prize and the crown. GOD send me salvation, and save me from a disappointment! Men think it but a stride or step over to heaven; but when so few are saved, even of a number like the sand of the sea,-but a handful and a remnant, as God's word says,—what cause have we to shake ourselves, and to ask our poor soul, " Whither goest thou Where shall you lodge at night Where are thy charters of thy heavenly inheritance " O see, see that you give not your salvation a wrong cast, and think all is well, and leave your soul loose" and uncertain. Look to your building, and to your ground-stone, and what signs of CHRIST are in you, and set this world behind your back. It is time, now in the evening, to cease from your ordinary work, and high time to know of your lodging at night. It is your salvation that is in dependence; and that' is a great and weighty business, though many make light of the matter. -. Now the LORD enable you by his grace to work it out!
Your lawful and loving Pastor,
Aberdeen, 1637.
S.R