The eighth letter of Mr. Hardcastle
Dearly Beloved, - Our condition seems to be various as April weather; sometimes showers, and sometimes sunshine, and both necessary towards a spring. And of such influence must we esteem and account the diversity of the Lord’s dispensations towards us, all of them working together for our further thriving, flourishing, and prospering in the house and ways of God. The flowing out of the spices, and the pleasantness of the fruits, were beholden to the north wind as well as to the south, solomon 4: 16. I hope, through the blessing of God, when the storm is a little over, you will see a great deal of fruit that is worth gathering up. The word of God is not bound; persecuting times have been converting times, and the wall was built in troublous times.
As the gospel takes notice in whose reign and government our Lord Jesus was born and suffered, so in due time you will find that many will date their spiritual birth, their love to the things of God, their confirmation in the truths of God, from such a year, the first year that such a bishop came to town, such a man being governor of the city that year; see Luke 3: 1, 2. This has been a year of the right hand of the Most High, and it ought to be ever remembered, and never forgotten. I have heard that you have had the plague in this city, which sent many to their graves, and some fires, which consumed dwelling houses, and turned them to ashes; and I hope you have not forgotten them, nor what the Lord’s design was in them.
But of all plagues, none are as like the locusts that come out of the bottomless pit, and the persecution that is kindled by the fire of hell. The plague of the beast and the whore, the beast and the false prophet, is the worst of all plagues; but for comfort see Rev. 18: 4-8, and 20: 10. There are glorious prophecies to be fulfilled, and glorious promises to be accomplished. How comfortably may faith and patience live upon Rev. 18. Read the whole chapter at your leisure. There are several periods of fulfilling the Lord’s promises, and they that are wise will observe providential accomplishments; and they, every they, shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord in all.
Could we but get our faith strengthened more in the love, faithfulness, power, and dominion of our dear Lord Jesus, all other graces would receive quickening, nourishment, and encouragement. Our patience would be lengthened, our hopes strengthened, our duties made easy and pleasant, our sufferings light and momentary, our adversaries rage little and short, our deliverance more certain and glorious, and all the dispensations of God towards as necessary, and as His precepts are, holy, just, and good. But I need not enlarge to you about these things. Remember, and treasure up these eight directions, or considerations: -
1. That though many men may seem to have respect and favor for Christ in a time of prosperity, yet nothing but true grace, and a thorough change of heart, will help a man to love him, and his concernments, at all times.
2. That wicked men, and ungodly men, are prevented of doing that mischief they design against the people of God, when they trust in His power. And godly men are disappointed of that good which they expect from other men, when, by such expectings, their faith in the omnipotence of God is weakened and divided.
3. That the answer of prayer, as it ought to be attended with thanksgiving, so it ought to be followed with more and more fervent supplications. God give us mercy to encourage us to pray for more, and not to have us sit down under the shadows of mercies received; see Jonah 4: 6-8.
4. The more singly, solely, and sincerely we deal with God in any matter, the more composed and quiet shall our hearts be, and the fewer our straits and disappointments, though they may seem otherwise to the world.
5. That the temptations from a flattering are much more dangerous than from a frowning world. The travelers that girt his coat about him and kept on his way, notwithstanding the windy storm, did not, when the sun shined, slacken his pace, ungird and throw off his coat.
6. That Satan, in turn and change of providences, plays the closest game, and therefore we have need of greatest watchfulness. Satan is a spirit, and he is never weary, though sometimes his instruments may move heavily; and when he cannot make outward disturbance, he knows how to lay siege to our hearts by his sly insinuations, subtle suggestions, and plausible artifices. Though all the meeting be quiet, he knows how to trouble every meeter.
7. Examine yourselves, what obedience you have learned by the things you have suffered; wherein the inward enemies [the carnalities of our own heart], that raised up the outward, have received a wound, a defeat, and destruction by the outward; whether the old unbelief and unprofitableness has not hereby been discovered, and in a good measure overthrown.
8. Observe what aspect every ordinance and providence has upon grace and glory; not how flesh and blood, and fancy and self is pleased, but how the soul is profited in order to an holy life and honoring God, and a comfortable departing out of this world.
The Lord be with you all. My true love to you all. The remembrance of these few hints will, I hope, make you remember me not the less at the throne of grace; who yet remains your remembrancer from God to you, and to God from you, whilst I remain a prisoner for Christ’s sake, and I hope for yours and the gospel’s advantage.
T. Hardcastle.
From my prison, at my own house, 8th month, 2nd day, 1675.
