The Life and Death of Joseph Alleine, Letters · Letter 32
LETTER XXXII. [He that endureth to the end shall be saved.]
To the Loving and Well-Beloved, the Servants of Christ in Huntington, Grace and Peace:
Most dear Christians,
I Do thankfully acknowledge, both to God, and You, that I am many ways obliged to love, and serve you: and surely, when the Lord shall turn our Captivity, I will (through his Grace) endeavour to shew my self thankful, wherein I may, unto You. I am the more sensible of your great love, because I cannot be insensible, how little I have deserved such a Mercy, and how little I have been able to do, to oblige You. Able, I say, for I am sure. I have been willing to be much more serviceable to you: But now, Letters and Prayers are all that I have for you; of these I shall be ready to be prodigal. Your love to me hath been very bountiful: I may not forget the liberal Supplies that you have sent, many of you, even out of your poverty to me; and not to me only, but to the whole Family of my Brethren, and Fellow-Prisoners, who do all bless you, and send by these with me, their thankful respects unto you. I servently pray, and do not doubt to speed, that you may reap in Grace and Glory, what you have sown to us in bounty. Verily, there is a reward for the Righteous. Ah, how sure is it! And how great and how near is it? Come on, my dear Brethren, and Fellow-Travellers. Stir up your selves, and set to your race. See that you loiter not, but speed apace in your holy Course. What tire by the way, or think of looking back, when Heaven is the prize? God forbid. To him that soweth righteousness there shall be a sure reward. What though it should seem slow? As long as it is so sure, and so great, never be discouraged: In the end you shall reap, if you faint not. Wait but a while, and you shall have a blessed Harvest. The Lord speaks to the Christian, as he to his Creditor in another Case. Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Oh now for Faith and Patience! How safely, how sweetly would these carry us to our Home and Harbour, through all difficulties. Brethren beloved, be ye followers of them, who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises. It is want of Patience that undoes the world. Patience, I mean, not so much in the bearing the inflicted evil, as in waiting for the deferred good. If the Reward of Religion would be presently in hand, who would not be Religious? Who but the deceitful world count it doubtful and distant; and they are all for something in hand, and so take up with a present felicity. The Lord deals all upon trust, and upon that account is but little dealt with. You must have Patience, and be content to plow and sow, and wait for the return of all at the Harvest, when this life is ended. They that like not Religion upon these terms, may see where they can mend their Markets. But you, my Brethren, be stedfast, unmoveable, abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. Wait a little, there is but a short life between you, and the blessed inheritance of the endless Glory. Ah wretched unbelievers! How worthy are you to be shut for ever out of the Kingdom, that did so undervalue all the Glory, that God had promised, as not to count it sufficient to pay them for a little waiting? Beloved, lift up your Eyes and behold your Inheritance, the good Land that is beyond the Jordan, and that goodly Mountain. The Promises are a Map of Heaven. Do but view it believingly and considerately, as it is darkly drawn there, and tell me, what think you of that worthy portion, that goodly Heritage? Will not all this make you …, for your stay? Why then act like Believers. Never bethink the pains, nor expences of Religion. … he shall come off a loser. What though You are much upon the spending …? I might tell you, God … but I would have you … that God hath [laid out] upon You; but who can tell what he hath [laid up] for them that fear him? And will you miss of all, for want of Patience? God forbid. Behold the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the Earth, and hath long patience, till he receive the early and later rain. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. What, shall the Husbandman have more patience for the Fruits of the Earth, than you for the pretious fruits of your Faith? The Husbandman hath no such certainty is … he hath but a probability of an harvest, and yet he hath …, he is content to venture. He is at great pains, and much cost, he is still laying out, and hath nothing coming in, and yet he is content to wait for his reimbursement, till the Corn be grown. But your harvest is must sure, as sure as the irrevocable Decree, the infallible Promise, the immutable Oath of a God, a God that cannot lie, that knows no place for Repentance, can make it. Again, the Husbandman hath no such increase to look for as you. Oh, if he were but sure, that every Corn would bear a Crown, with what exultation and joy, rather than patience, would he go through all his cost and labour. Why, Brethren, such is a Believers increase. Every Grain shall produce a Crown, and every Tear shall bring forth a Pearl; and every minute in pains or Prayers, an age of Joy and Glory. Besides, the Husbandman hath long patience, and will not you have a little patience? It is not long patience that God doth expect of you: for behold, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Will the Garrison yield when relief is at hand? Or the Merchant sit down and give up his hopes, when within sight of the Harbour? Or will the Husbandman …, and give up all for lost, when he sees the fields even white for the Harvest? Or shall he do more for a crop of Corn, than you will do for a crop of Glory? Far be it. Behold the Judge is even at Door. The Lord is at hand. He cometh quickly, and his reward is with him. He comes with the Crown in his hand, to … upon the head of patience. Therefore cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. The Prisoners of the Lord, your Brethren in the Patience of Jesus, can tell you, it is good suffering for such a Master. We must tell you, as they said to our Lord in another case, He is worthy for whom you should do this. God is beyond measure gracious to us here. He shines bright into our prison, blessed be his Name. He waters us from heaven, and earth. As, we trust, you forgot not the poor Prisoners, when you pray, so we would that many thanksgivings should abound in our behalf. And Prayer being the onelyonly Key that can open our Prisons. we trust that you will not slack, nor let your hands be heavy, but pray and not faint: and doubtless Prayer will do it. But I am apt to pass the bounds of a Letter, yet I promise my self now … pardon for lo loving a trespass. With my dear Loves to you all, I commend you to God, and the word of his Grace. Though I have done writing, yet not praying. I will promise, where my Letter ends, my Prayers shall begin. Farewell, dear Brethren: Fare you well in the Lord, I am
An unworthy Embassador of Jesus in Bonds, JOS. ALLEINE. From the Prison at Juelchester, Octob. …. 1663.