The Twelfth Letter of Mr. Hardcastle

October 23, 1675

These for my truly beloved friends, the members and hearers of the congregation meeting in Broadmead, Bristol.

Beloved Friends, - I am now handling the subject of faith’s preciousness, and shall, by the Lord’s blessing, at this time endeavor to open that excellency of it, in respect of a double influence it hath,

I. Upon our communion with God; and II. Upon our conversation in the world. In regard of both which, it wonderfully differences itself from a formal, false, counterfeit, and common faith.

I. First then, as to our communion with God

It is the work of true faith to put into us willingness and a desire to come to God, and to meet with Him; and that, notwithstanding manifold infirmities. Guilt makes a hypocrite hide and fly; faith makes a true believer return and acknowledge. Whose language runs on this wise: - Father, though I have displeased you, and sinned grievously against you, have played fast and loose with you, I cannot live without seeing you, and enjoying your presence; let me not want your countenance, though I have your correction with it; let me have the smiles of your face, though I feel the smitings of your hand; I can be content with that whole text, Psalm 90: 30-34; I make my appeal from your justice to your mercy; I am willing you should see how vile I am, but I will not go out of your service; in your house I will remain, though it be but as a hired servant.

This true faith leads a soul unto God, and will not leave it short of Him. Duties, sermons, meetings, and ministers will not serve, without some secret and powerful touch of omnipotent grace and free love; so that the soul can say, my heart was melted, convinced, instructed, comforted, strongly drawn and overcome, by the Spirit of God.

Notwithstanding great troubles, faith leads the soul to God. A bewildered saint, that has lain among the pots, and is all sullied and rusted with temptation and tribulation, yet makes towards God and His presence. Poor desolate Job, that sat in ashes, with a potsherd to scrape himself withal, Job 2: 7,8, yet, in this condition, cries out, Job 23: 3, Oh that I knew where I might find him that I might come even to his seat! &c. How comes such a dunghill creature to presume to come so near God’s seat? Why, it is his faith; and God likes it, Job 19: 25-27. But counterfeit faith leaves a man destitute, and forlorn in distress; or, leads him to carnal helps or sinful shiftings, Job 13: 16; for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

True faith not only makes the soul willing to come to God, but also gives him a true representation of God, what He is, and that He is a rewarder, Hebrews 11: 6. Faith discovers to the soul the excellent attributes of God, His greatness, power, faithfulness, wisdom, goodness, and bounty; and works suitable impressions from thence upon the heart. So that I know no better a description of a true believer, both as to his state and blessedness, than what you have in a very few words, Psalm 33: 18. Pray consider it. A true believer is one that fears God and hopes in His mercy. If he did only fear, he would be led into despair; if he did barely hope, it would not be faith, but presumption and vain confidence. And mark his happy condition; The eye of the Lord is upon him. And what would you have more? His heart, His love, His care and compassion are all engaged for him.

Now a counterfeit faith has no such representations of God, nor impressions from God; but in duties and ordinances, leaves the soul in a dull, confused, general frame, without any discovery, awe, or taste of God: without any refreshing influence or efficacy, persuasion or alteration. The exterior faculties, it may be, may be entertained, as the fancy and the memory, by gifts or expressions, its own or other, in public. The affections may be, perhaps, a little moved and the natural conscience stirred, though both but slightly and transiently. But the heart is not delighted and established in truth and goodness; the will not bowed and inclined more to God, and more spiritual, and resolved in and for his ways and worship, and all manner of holy conversation, godliness, and growth in grace. As some think there is no God, who do not only want faith, but are unreasonable men, so there are some who profess the true God, that yet have Him not in all their thoughts. Or if they think of Him, conceive unsuitably and unworthily of Him, and think that He is altogether such as one as themselves, and never can perform acceptable, right service to Him. But,

II. True faith is precious, with reference to its usefulness about our conversations in the world, which hereby are furnished the excellent properties of being,

1. Honest and unblameable. True faith by giving us (as it is the evidence of things not seen) a discovery of the world to come, and the duration of it, keeps us from being ensnared, and entangled, and being made vain, by this present evil world: from which our Lord Jesus, who is the object, author, and finisher of our faith, hath delivered us; see Galatians 1: 4; Titus 2: 12-14; I Peter 1: 18. True faith gives to believers victory over the world, I John 5: 4; and carries them honestly through all its temptations and snares, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction, I Timothy 6: 9.

2. Hereby the soul becomes contented, without covetousness and perplexing carefulness. Faith takes hold of that word of promise, Hebrews 13: 5, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; and thus the cure is wrought. When straits and difficulties, and sharp, trying providences, present themselves, and would procure discouragement, true faith answers them, removes and banishes them all, by arguing on this wise: - What, have I trusted God for the eternal salvation of my soul, and shall not I trust Him with my body, my family, my children? Can He give a kingdom and cannot He give crumbs? He that feeds ravens will not famish his children. He never yet did suffer me to hunger, and what reason have I to think that He will now? He has maintained me so many years, and helped me through all my straits, and will do it for the future. Will my carking and caring do any good? My believing will, but my distrust will do a great deal of harm. Can I believe for a share of His peculiar love, and doubt of a part in His common providence? He that saves my soul from hell will save my body from famine, unless it be thereby to bring me to heaven. Depart from me, then, all ye disquieting fears, unprofitable cares, sinful perplexities: for I have cast my burden upon the Lord. I have committed the care of me and mine to Him; and I know He will take care of me. But a false faith will suffer a man to die of a worldly sorrow and cannot help him. It bears the name in prosperity but will not bear up the man in adversity.

3. This true faith renders the soul beneficial and profitable. Faith makes the soul very generous; will and desirous to do good to all; would have every soul saved, and converted, and healed, and every back clothed, and belly full; and wishes that it could but speak, or do, that which might attain all these ends. How does a believer travail for the conversion of sinners, of relations! How glad, if any token of repenting and returning! But a common faith leaves a man in a careless frame, and concerned posture about the danger and sufferings that the souls and bodies of other are in and under; unless it be, that ambition, honor, and applause do stir up and make a man a little active this way for a season. And thus you have an account, briefly, of faith’s preciousness and thereby of its discrimination from common profession faith.

By the help of your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus I shall proceed in searching more into this great foundation grace. John 3: 14, 15, 36. That the Lord would bestow faith where it is wanting and give the increase and joy of where it is, is the fervent prayer of:

Your sincere servant, in the work of the gospel,

                                                                                 Thomas Hardcastle