Fifth letter of Mr. Hardcastle to his church.

Sept. 13 (Monday), 1675

These for my dearly beloved, the church of Christ, meeting together at a private fast, in Whitson Court, Bristol.

Dear Beloved, - Who knows what a day may bring forth? Who knows what a fast-day may bring forth? Could we fast and pray unto God, much good might be done. There are two measures that want filling up, the measures of our prayers and sufferings, and the measures of our adversaries’ sins and cruelties. They are making as much haste as ever they can to fill their cup; let us not come lagging behind in filling ours. Let our steadfastness, supplications, and humiliations run parallel with their threatenings, persecutions, and disturbances. One blow in season may do much good. It was the curse of Amalek, that he fell upon the Israelites when they were faint and weary in the journey that the Lord had appointed them. It will be our virtue, wisdom, and honor, by faithful and fervent prayer, to fall upon these cursed Amalekites now they grow faint and weary; and they fear not God, Deut. 25: 17, 18, 19. Who knows what one joint cry and groan may do (I wish it were more joined) in this critical distressing season? I beseech you fall on, and for your word you have it in two places; I beseech you to turn to them, and read them deliberately in the congregation: 2 Chron. 13: 4 to 21; 2 Chron 20: 5 to 20.

It is a spiritual warfare, and the battle is not ours, but God’s. The cause is His; His name is concerned. Say unto Him, We are called by Thy name, leave us not; and, What wilt Thou do unto thy great name? Though our iniquities testify against us, do Thou it for thy name’s sake [Jer. 14: 9, Jos. 7: 9, Jer. 14: 7]. But take these few directions for the management of your prayers: -

1. Pray holily. If we keep sin, we cannot come with confidence to the throne of grace. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear our prayers [Ps 66: 18].

2. Pray fervently. As we must serve the Lord with all our might, &c., so we must seek the Lord. I need not enlarge on these things, a few hints will serve you.

3. Pray believingly. Let not your inward and secret fears check and control the expressions of your lips.

4. Pray waitingly. Why, what is that? Pray, resolving that you will pray again, if the Lord do not answer you now; and that you will never give Him over, until He have mercy upon you. I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him [Isa 8: 17]. But what shall we pray for?

First. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love her [Ps 122: 6]. Say, Let Sion be delivered; not, Let Bristol be delivered. Let the bondage and burden be taken off all Israel, and let them be saved.

Secondly. Pray that your troubles, and afflictions, and persecutions may be sanctified rather than removed. Let my powerful corruption be removed, or taken away, rather than this domineering prelate. Let our divisions be removed; our divisions healed; our disputes silenced; our jealousies, and heart-burnings, and prejudices rebuked; and our formalities and lukewarmness fully cured.

Thirdly. Pray for your enemies; that they may be pardoned, if they belong to the election of grace; that their wickedness may come to an end; or else that they may be chained, and proceed no further.

Fourthly. Pray that the gospel may gain much ground by this present persecution; that many may be convinced and edified by it; that this may be a seed for a harvest.

Fifthly. And pray for me, that my bonds may turn to the furtherance of the gospel; that this season may be abundantly sanctified both to you and me; that my health may be preserved, if it be the good pleasure of God; and that I may come out in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel.

I take leave, at present, but hope to be still meeting you somewhere or other while I live, and in the general assembly of the first-born, where there is no separating, imperfection, division, darkness, or spot, or any such things. The Lord by His Spirit help your infirmities, and bless you and me abundantly with spiritual blessings in heavenly things.

I am yours, in the best bonds,
                                                                                 Thomas Hardcastle