A Letter To Mrs Peake – November 24th, 1864
My dear Friend, Mrs. Peake.
I believe that affliction, especially when long continued, has a sobering effect upon the mind, for we learn in it our deep need of vital realities; and these, as they are felt and apprehended, put to flight all the enthusiastic notions and mere visionary views and delusions that we might have. I am very fond of a sound mind in the things of God, for this is what God gives with a spirit of power and of love. (2 Tim. 1:7). In the things of God, and in vital experience, there is a holy soberness; for as in believing the truth we have not followed cunningly devised fables, so an experience of the truth brings with it a solemn sober conviction of their truth and reality. In times of trouble, temptation, sickness, and death, we need something firm to support the mind, and this we have not in airy notions, but in the Word of God, as made life and spirit to the soul. Few things have more discredited a profession of our most holy faith than the wild notions and still wilder expressions which some have indulged in, giving to the Word of God all sorts of strained meanings, and thus perverting and distorting it from its divine simplicity. But I must not run on in this strain, lest I send you an essay instead of a letter.
I have rather got over the trouble and exercise which I had about the testimonial. I think perhaps that your view was the right one; and I dare say my pride was as much touched as my better feelings were pained. Good often comes out of evil; or at least good comes sometimes in a way in which we would not have it come. In this way therefore, I desire thankfully to acknowledge the good hand of God in this very testimonial, though had it been left to my option, I should at once have stopped it. . . .
I much like Mr. Covell. He generally comes to see me once a week, and sits some time. We agree very well on most points. I find his conversation spiritual and profitable, without any affectation and cant.
Mr. Tryon came down to see me about a week ago. He was very kind and friendly, and gave me some account how matters were going on at Stamford. Though absent from you, I still feel present with you. My desire is that the blessing of God may rest upon His church and people at Oakham and Stamford. I would not have left you, or at least not given up my charge, had the Lord given me health and strength to go on with it. But it is the mercy of the people of God that their edification or consolation does not depend upon man, but that the Lord Himself has undertaken both to comfort and to build up Zion. We may expect as we advance onwards, if our lives be spared, to be ever meeting with new trials and afflictions—but the Lord has promised that His grace shall be sufficient for us, and to this alone can we ever look as able to support us under them, and to bring us off eventually more than conquerors. It is a fellowship in affliction and trial, and a fellowship in the grace of the Gospel, which forms the tie between the members of Christ’s mystical body. And why, but because it gives them fellowship with their common Head? (1 John 1:3; 1 Cor. 1:9).
Yours very affectionately,
J. C. P.
Jesus is LORD! 
Leave a comment