Page:History of the life and sufferings, of the Reverend John Welch.pdf/13

 The Conolations of the Holy Ghot, be multiplied upon you, in Chrit Jeus.

FTEN and many times, Chritian and elect lady, I have deired the opportunity to be comforted, with that conolation, wherewith it hath pleaed God, of his free grace and mercy, to fill and furnih you. Your remembrance is very weet and comfortable to my very oul; ince the firt time I knew you in Chrit Jeus, I have ever been mindful of you unto the Lord, and now, not being able to refrain any longer, I could not omit this occaion; not knowing how long it may pleae the Lord to continue my being in this tabernacle, or give me further occaion of writing to any.

Although I have not great matter at this time, yet in remembrance of your labour, of love, hope, and patience, I mut needs alute your ladyhip, knowing, auredly, you are the choen of God, et apart before ever the world was, to that glorious and eternal inheritance. Being thus comforted in your faith and hope, I am fully aured tho' we never have the occaion of meeting here, yet we hall reign together in the world to come.

My deire to remain here is not great, knowing that o long as I am in this houe of clay, I am abent from God; and if it were diolved, I look for a building not made with hands eternal in the heaven; in this I groan, I deiring to be cloathed upon, with my boue which is in heaven, if o be that being cloathed, I hall not be found naked for I that am within this tabernacle, do often groan and igh within myelf, being oftentimes burdened; not that I would be uncloathed, but cloathed upon; that mortality might be wallowed up of life. I long to eat of that tree which is planted in the midt of the paradie of God, and to drink of the pure river, clear as crytal, that runs thro' the treet of the New Jerualem. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he hall tand at the lat dayupon the earth. And though after kin worms detroy my body, yet in my fleh hall I ee God, whom I hall ee for myelf, and not another for me; and my eyes hall behold him, though my reins be coumed within me. I long to be refrehed with the ouls