Vol 16 - TO MARGARET REBID.

TO MARGARET REBID.
My very dear and worthy Sister,
GRACE, mercy, and peace, be to you! Ye are truly blessed of the LORD, however a sour world gloom upon you, if ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. It is good that there is a heaven, and that it is not a night dream, or a fancy. It is a wonder that men deny not that there is a heaven; as they deny that there is a way to it, but of men's making. You have learned of CHRIST, that there is a heaven; contend for it, and contend for CHRIST; bear well the hard cross of this stepmother world, that GOD, will not have to be yours. I confess, it is hard, and. I would, I were able to ease /you of your burden.; but, believe me, this world is but the, dress, the refuse, and the sign of God's creation; a hard bone cast to the dogs, whereon they. rather break their teeth, than satisfy their appetite: It is your Father's blessing, and CHRIST'S birthright; in that; Our, LORD is, keeping for__ you; and your seed also shall inherit the earth, (if that e good for them,) for that is: promised to, them; and GOD's bond is as good, and better, than if men would give every one of them a bond for thousands. Crosses in number, measure, and weight, have been written for you; and your LORD will lead you. through them. Make CHRIST sure, and the blessings of, the earth shall be at CHRIST'S back. I see ’many professors, but they are professors of glass; a little knock of persecution breaks them in pieces: therefore make. fast, work;' see that CHRIST lay the groundstone of your profession; for wind and rain will not wash away his building. His works stand for evermore. I should twenty times have perished in my affliction, if I had not leaned my weak back, and laid my pressing burden, upon the Foundationstone, the, Cornerstone laid in Zion; and I desire never to rise from this stone. Now, the very GOD of peace confirm and establish you unto the day of the blessed appearance of CHRIST JESUS. GOD be with you! Yours in his LORD JESUS,
S. R.