Christian Letters Full of Spiritual Instructions, Letter 32
LETTER. XXXII. [He that endureth to the end shall be saved.] To the most loving, and best beloved, the Serv…ts 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 Captivi…y, 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 FellowPrisoners, who do all bless you, and send by these with me, their thankful respects unto you. I fervently 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 …ire by the way, or think of looking back, when Heaven is the prize? God forbid. To him that soweth righteousness …here shall be a sure reward. What though it should seem sl…w? As long as it is so sure, and so great, never be discoura…ed: In the end you shall reap, if you faint not. Wait b… a while, and you shall have a blessed harvest. The Lord speaks … the Christian, as he to his Creditor in another case. Have pa…ence with me, and I will pay thee all. Oh now …or Faith and Patience! How safely, how sweetly would these …arry us to our home and harbour, through all difficul…s. Brethren beloved, be ye followers of them, who through …th and Patience inherit the Promises. It is want of patience …hat undoes the world. Patience, I mean, not so much … the bearing the inflicted evil, as in waiting for the de…erred good. If the reward of Religion would be presently in hand, who would not be Religious? Who but the deceitsul world count it doubtful and distant; and they are all for something in hand, and so take up with a present felicity. The L…ord deals all upon trust, and upon that account is but little dea…t with. You must have patient, 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 to 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 amends for your stay? Why then act like Believers. Never bethink the pains, nor expences of Religion. Let no man fear he shall come off a loser. What though you are much upon the spending hand? I might tell you, God is beforehand with you however: but I would have you principally to look forward. It is much 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 sorbid. 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 precious fruits of your Faith? The Husbandman hath no such certainty as you: he hath but a probability of an harvest, and yet he hath p…ience; 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 rei…bursement, till the Corn be grown. But your harvest is most sure, as sure as the irrevocable Decree, the infallible promise, the immuta…le 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 exaltation 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 th…t 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 Husband man despond, 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 set 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 h…re. 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 only 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 an easie pardon for so 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. Farewel dear Brethren: Fare you well in the Lord, I am
An unworthy Embassador of Jesus in Bond, JOS. ALLEINE. From the Prison at Juelchester, Octob. 29. 1663.