![The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 1 [of 2] / being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjects cover](/books/content/58616/OEBPS/2034518774263657253_cover.jpg)
Ruhamah.
LETTER XIII.
Valley of Achor, Nov. 13, 1818.
Mrs. N—H.
MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,
I AM anxious to hear how thy God supports your mind under the afflictive dispensation.—Little did I think that we should so speedily lose one that was dear to us both—to me as a friend, and a conscientious christian, but as every thing to you, next to God and your own soul. But we shall meet again, where tears shall be wiped from every eye, and parting shall be known no more. My friend I shall recognize above, and you will clasp your much-loved North again—
Ah, cruel death! thus so early to separate twin souls. Why do I thus talk! Our beloved friend has escaped the head ach, the heart ach, inbred corruption, an ensnaring world, a tempting devil, wicked men, false professors, abounding error, and weak-minded christians. What a glorious, painful deliverance! blessed to him and distressing to us, more particularly to you. I need say nothing about him—you best knew his worth. I only lament my captivity, that I could not attend him in his illness—that I could not see the finishing work of grace on his heart—that I could not with him, and by him, bend the knee, and commend him to his dear Saviour, who was waiting to receive his dear elect, redeemed soul. Those who live on the sea coast have seen armies drawn up, in order to receive some great personage; so, truly (could you and I look beyond this lower world) we should have seen numbers of angels waiting to conduct your dear partner to the land of eternal bliss. Yea, more, the dear Saviour himself came for him—so he promises, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am there you may be also.
How very uncertain is life! Perhaps as I write this short epistle, this hand may be checked, and mouth be dumb. O may we be found in some sweet frame, or good work when death appears. May we never be attacked in an ill-spent hour, but be wrapt in holy thoughts, and clothed with the righteousness of God our dear Saviour—pardoned by his precious blood, and on the wings of love, ready to take our flight.—Death is certainly very terrific to us, but it is our Father’s porter, sent to unlock mortality, to let out his prisoner to the full enjoyment of his inheritance.—I pray God to grant we may both find Christ so precious to us, that we may truly say with the apostle, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain—that is, Christ is gain to me, whether I live or die. Our main business is to cultivate an intimacy with Christ. I remember when my heart was overcharged with grief, that I was nearly distracted, there came to me a soft, still voice, as it were, saying, “Acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace with him.” This is the command, and God has promised that he will give us an heart to know him; and has declared, “All thy children shall be taught of God.” To know God in Christ is eternal life, and this knowledge of him is knowing him in an experimental way, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin. This, only this, can subdue the fears of death, and take away its sting.
I often think of the dying saying of a good man, when asked, as he was near death, whether he feared death, “I cannot say” said he, “that I have so lived as not to fear death, but I can say that I know Christ so, that I am not afraid to die.” I trust the Lord will support you in your very trying circumstances—that his hand will preserve you in your approaching calamity, and give you a safe delivery—that almighty grace will save the child, that parents and children may meet in glory. The Lord is well known in Zion as an husband to the widow, and the father of the fatherless, and he will be known by you in these lovely characters. I had not an opportunity of dropping a tribute of respect for your dear husband in the pulpit, I beg, however, the Lord will be with you, and give you to enjoy all the grace contained in this sweet text—“For thy maker is thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name.” To him be glory by the Church. Amen.
Command me home, Oh God my King,
And bear me to the Skies,
Where Angels loud Hosannahs sing,
And drink celestial joys.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XIV.
Valley of Achor, February 20th, 1818.
Mr. & Mrs. P—N.
MY EVER DEAR FRIENDS IN THE BEST OF BONDS,
Grace and peace be your’s.—I trust I need not apologize for writing to you from such a place, and under such circumstances. You will no doubt join me in saying, I am just where the Lord had long devised I should be, and where, I bless his dear name, he graciously condescends to pay me many a visit, sometimes with a rod, and sometimes with a smile: and he has promised both to us—he laid up the rod as well as the manna in the ark, and it is only the sanctified rod, afflictions in Christ, that can do us any lasting good. But I trust that in my personal experience, the rod has budded in my convictions of what I have done amiss in many things, for says an inspired apostle, “In many things we all offend.” I hope the rod has also blossomed in my humility, and that the fruit will be peace and righteousness; and as much preciseness in my whole conduct, as if my salvation depended on it. I trust the long contention the Lord has had with me, for these ten years past, is consummated. I cannot bless God for distress of mind, but I can bless him for that grace that melts the heart, and produces that secret sacred mourning, wonder, gratitude, and peace. None but an all-seeing Jehovah can tell what I have seen here; my grief has been great, my sighs have been many, my heart has been broken, sin has appeared detestable, error damnable, man truly depraved, God patient, long suffering and good. I have been deeply distrest on account of my own sins, and the sins of others. O that this work had been as deep on my soul some years ago, as it has been only some few months past, but, alas, I lived too far off from God—company—visits—bustle—noise—stir—clamour—and levity of manners, light and trifling professors, and no power given me sufficient to keep me on my guard. These stole my time, attention, and talents; the spirit’s operations were not watched, the Saviour was slighted, and his dear company shunned; established believers and deep taught favorites of the most high were left, and I was in doubts what to do between conscience and feelings, guided too much by the latter, and the former got hardened. These and a thousand things more I deeply regret; these try my spirit now, and though I have no doubt they are pardoned, for I have tasted, felt, and handled that blessing also in this place, yet I cannot, will not forgive myself, while I live in the body. What the Lord is doing with me, has puzzled many, but he has not left me wholly in the dark about it. As the great Head of the Church, he is washing the feet of his disciples; digging and purging his garden, pruning his trees, awaking the north wind, beating his spices, snuffing his candles, trimming his lamps, trying his gold, refining his silver, purging the dross, removing the rubbish, descending in a cloud, and stripping me of self-admiration, which is rank idolatry—and all this is in covenant love. This is using the fan, and the sieve, and I hope purging that away that can be well spared; and I can assure my dear friends I am still praying over, and watching the accomplishment of that sweet text in Zechariah, “I will bring the third part through the fire; I will try them as gold is tried, and refine them as silver is refined: they shall call on my name. I will say it is my people, and they shall say, the Lord is my God, Selah.”
The Lord tries our faith, by stirring up every thing in opposition to us, yet enabling us to believe thro’ all. He tries our love, by leading us to see the awful errors that abound in the world, in opposition to the most blessed Redeemer; and by sometimes hiding his face. He tries our hope, by permitting Satan to assault us on every hand. He tries our patience, by delays to answer our prayers, by the length of our afflictions, and by their aboundings. Thus he tries us, and then he most graciously gives us an opportunity of trying him. We try his love, and find it the same every hour. We try his power, and find it supports and cheers us. We try his word, and find it precious. We try his obedience, death, and intercession, and find it brings a lasting peace to the soul. We try his truth and faithfulness, and find that firm all the way to heaven! We try his long suffering, by our daily provocations; and we try his mercy, and find it kind. His grace, and find it sovereign, rich, and free. Thus the Lord deals with us, and we with him.
These things I have found, felt, and known, and hope, through abounding goodness, yet to proclaim to others, perhaps not more faithfully than I have, but I hope more simply and clearly. I want the divine spirit to lead me deeply into all truths, for the knowledge and purity of God’s people’s minds and consciences, and to follow after righteousness in every sense—peace and joy as the happy consequence. I have no doubt but this trial is for my present salvation, in many senses, but I am afraid of every thing—Satan has desired to have me, but you can guess the cause why not, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”
Ever your’s, in Christ,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XV.
Valley of Achor, Jan. 11, 1818.
Mr. Jones.
MY MUCH BELOVED BROTHER,
I thank you for your kind letter, it was more than a mite cast into the gospel treasury, as every kind word and kind action is doubly sweet when a person is in deep trouble; I have often thought of poor Job, when he cried out in the real bitterness of his heart, “Have pity upon me, O my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me.” But above all, I have at times thought of him who said, “Lover and friend hast thou put away from me.”—(88th Psalm). Ah! he was forsaken that we might never be forsaken—he was bound for our liberty—chastised for our peace—suffered for our comfort—died for our life—and lives that sin might die, and our souls might be with him—he toiled for our ease, and for our safety bled. Need I tell you who I mean? Him, being delivered for our offences, him hath God exalted. “Sir, if ye have borne him hence, tell me where ye have laid him.” “We hid our faces from him, yet we did esteem him—the bond of our peace was upon Him, the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief—therefore will I divide him a portion with the great.” “Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?” “I sought him, but I found him not—I will seek him, I found him, I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my brother’s house.” Need I mention his name? It would not be half so sweet, as if you were on a journey, or accidentally fell in company with one that loved him, and over-heard his dear name mentioned by a stranger, in a very sweet and savory way: how it would open your ears, lead out your love, and quicken your soul. “His name is Jesus! for he shall save his people from their sins.” But this could not be, without his acting as a substitute for them, and this he has done. He first indemnified his people, and then gave himself up to the justice of God. Ah, little did his enemies think what was in the heart of Jesus when he gave himself up to them, and said, “If ye seek me, let these go their way.” This was acting over what he had engaged to do in eternity, when the adorable Father called him forth to act for the dear people of his charge. Considering them in the fallen state, as sinners, justice looked to him for satisfaction, and millions were saved upon the ground of his covenant engagement; his vast mind took in the nature of sin, with all its deserts, and he engaged to become a sin-offering, to bear all our guilt, to stand in our place, in the malefactor’s cloaths, and to endure all that we had deserved. O my brother, how we shall love him when we see him in all his glory, in heaven; but is it not very lamentable, that sin in us should so chain us down to earth and self, that we can but seldom rise to God, and never without sin, evil is ever present. I feel at times its influence so deeply as I cannot describe to any one—to me, it is as trying as St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh. I humbly conceive that good man was perpetually buffeted to curse God, but what I feel is different, and yet so horrible I cannot tell anyone on earth. O my grief, how great it is on this subject, and if it is Satan’s influence, what a cruel Devil he must be, to harrass in this present affliction, but I am a sinner, and the Lord will make me feel it. I have too much given way to Satan, and now he is set at me like a bull-dog, or as a gaping lion, ready to devour me—my faith is weak and my fears are strong. I want the strength and vigor of faith in exercise, to carry me above present feelings, and present troubles; but as sinners, I believe God will make us most heartily sick of sin, especially our most easy besetment, shall be the principal pull that Satan and the world will ever trouble us with. Thus I find nothing can subdue sin but communion with Christ, maintained and kept up by our union with him. The mind must be powerfully led by the holy spirit, to contemplate what Christ is to us, and as we are kept near to him, sin cannot get the mastery. A daily cross galls the old man, and imbitters Life, but a view of Jesus, accompanied with power, subdues sin—that which pardons sin subdues it. This is what we want, and all our neglect of Christ, is punished by Satan’s stirring up sin, seducing us into it, and then turning accuser, and a court adversary. But I apprehend the Lord has but one grand object in view, and that is to lead us to Jesus only. The troubles of Life wean us from the world; the weakness of God’s children, and their faults, keep us from idolizing the very best of them. Sin within us keeps us from settling in the flesh, while the temptations of the devil urge us constantly to make Christ our refuge. Thus the Lord over-rules all for us, and, as an all-wise physician, he compounds all our conflicts, to make us like himself, by being a partaker of his holiness. Every day’s experience proves to us the value of Jesus, as God-Man Mediator—as our atoning sacrifice, and everlasting justification before God. As our head and representative—our intercessor and advocate—as the blessed maintainer of his own work—and as engaged to help, protect, bless, and bring us home to glory.
I know not what the Lord intends to do with me, and when he is precious to my soul I do not care what he does with me. I have then no will of my own. I neither want to preach or be silent, leave this place or abide in it, that is no trouble to me then—but when nature, sin, sorrow, and Satan trouble me, I feel like a wild Bull in a net. At times I feel compunction, godly sorrow, and self-abasement: this is the lowest seat in the College of Christ. Here is safety; but, alas, even these we may be proud of, so that we really get weaned from frames and feelings, and rejoice that Jesus is the same. Hence the command, Rejoice in the Lord always. He is always the object of faith, hope, love, and joy; our feelings are not, though we highly esteem them—nor can we rest without some sensations of joy in the Lord—I trust the Saviour will be precious to your mind; keep you near himself; and when sin is striving for the mastery, you may have grace given to call on the Lord—and be sure to cry out before you are hurt, for you may not be able when the hurt comes; for such is the nature of sin, that, like the leprosy of old, it is of a deadening nature; it makes the guilty stupid, till God is pleased to quicken us again; and when we feel the wounds sin has made, we want the Saviour to heal us again, which he kindly does.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XVI.
Valley of Achor, December 17th, 1817.
Mrs. Hutchings.
MY DEAR MOTHER,
For such has been your affection and concern for me, which I trust will never go unrewarded by the dear Saviour. Many have been the attempts to keep you from attending my feeble ministry, to hurt your mind, to distress your spirit, and to perplex your heart, but having obtained help of God you continue to this day, only grieved that my enemies have at last gained that end they have been so long aiming at, and because you cannot make me as comfortable in my captivity as your heart desires. The Lord takes the will for the deed in the hearts of those who desire to fear his name, revere his truth, love the Saviour, trust his word, and hope in his finished work. This I trust is the case of the dear friend to whom I now write. This is an act of free favour from a good and gracious God, and where these things are to be found, the Spirit has begun a work he will never leave or forsake. May it be clearer to your mind, more powerful upon your heart, more evident to your faith, and produce in your soul such a hope as will never fail, till you see God in glory.
I have often intended to call on you, and talk of these sweet things, because you wished me so to do, and because God had given to your mind an humble desire to know Christ, and be found in him. But a continued scene of bustle all day, and too frequently in company with my enemies, which I now deeply lament. This hindered me; and sometimes, at night, I was weary in, though not with my work, that I needed rest, so then Satan stopt me; but I shall be happy to talk with you now by letter, and perhaps it will be much better than our conversation might have been, because you can read another time what you might not have remembered in talk. I hope never to grow weary of reminding my dear friends of that one thing that is truly needful, the experimental knowledge of Christ. The tidings of the Gospel are very simple, being only a declaration that God the Father, Son, and Spirit, as the God of love, purposed to glorify each other; in the everlasting happiness of a number that no man can number—and methinks I hear you say, I would give ten thousand worlds, at times, to know if I am among that number. The Lord, I hope, will make that clear to you soon. Each adorable person in the Trinity, agreed to take names, suited to the offices they would sustain in the business of our salvation. One adorable person condescended to take the name of Father—the dearest, the most familiar, the sweetest name—and as he appeared in that character, he called forth the second adorable person, as Mediator; and after proposing to him another nature, besides his God-head, he became the elect head of all his dear family, who appeared in his mind, just as they will be in the resurrection—truly glorious. I hope Mrs. Hutchings was seen among the brilliant throng. But for the greater displays of grace, God permitted this happy number to fall into sin, with all the dreadful consequences that should attend such a fall. Upon the fore-sight of this, the dear Son of God was called, and he graciously consented to come down into this world, to stand in our stead, to take our place, to obey the law which we had broken, and which obedience of his, was to be reckoned ours. Yes my dear friend, this text has often gladdened my heart. “But to us it shall be imputed, who believe in him.” O what a comfort, our dear Lord not only obeyed the Law, but he endured the penalty of it, which was all that was implied in the “Curse of God.” But dear Lord, what did that imply; no heart can conceive, no tongue can ever describe it—his heart melted like wax, his dear knees trembled, his spirit was filled with anguish, and his whole soul felt the pangs of the damned—the sufferings of his dear, his sacred body were dreadful, but the sufferings of his soul, were the very soul of his sufferings. O what must sin be—may we see it as a most dreadful evil, and those who make a mock at sin mock the Saviour’s bitter anguish. He died, but in dying he satisfied the justice of God, and the Father has declared himself well pleased, quite satisfied with his work. God can now be holy, yet save an unholy sinner; he can be just, and yet justify an ungodly creature; he can be God, and yet pardon the very vilest. The work is done, it was for sinners Jesus died—then sure I hope he died for thee. In this hope I trust you will live, not upon what you may ever feel, that may encourage you, but entirely upon the work of Christ. May this simple testimony encourage you to pray in spirit, when you have but few words, or perhaps, like Hannah, no words to say; yet your spirit I hope will be often going up to God, the holy and ever blessed Spirit, who also engaged in the same agreement with the Father and the Son, that he would assume such offices for those for whom the Redeemer died. That he would shew them their need of Jesus, that he would enlighten them, so that they might see Christ was exactly suited for them; that he would help them to call upon him, to run to him when stung with guilt; that he would enable them to hope in his person, to trust in his work, to love his name, his gospel, his people, and his ways; to wait on him in secret and in public, till be graciously shewed them their interest in Christ, and the interest Christ has in them. That he would give them honourable thoughts of Jesus, and enable them to rejoice that Jesus has precious thoughts of them. This is the work of the blessed Spirit, and if my dear Friend desires this work on the heart to live and die with, I must beg her to take every opportunity to entreat this divine Spirit to work these things in the mind, according to his promise, “I will write my laws in their minds, I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins I will remember no more.” Let me beg of you, when you have got through this letter, to read the thirteen first verses of the eleventh chapter of Luke, and if you ever do me the honour to read this side of my letter again, and can make it out very easily, always read the same verses again.
God bless you—when I write to one, I write to you both. Kind respects to all the family.
Your’s truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XVII.
From M. C. to her Father.
DEAR FATHER,
I write merely to inform you I am still at our kind Friend’s, Mr. P. he has left town for a few days, and Mrs. P. says she will not spare me till his return. Last Sunday morning we went to hear the Rev. Mr. E. whose chapel is in D. Street, near the Foundling; he certainly preached a most excellent sermon, upon “I am the Life.” You have been informed that he denies the existence of the Lord Jesus Christ from eternity, but he fully proved that Christ was the lasting life of his people, and that his church was in him before the foundation of the world. He shewed us that Christ was the head of his people, that he was their life of justification, their spiritual and their eternal life. I assure you he did not rob the Saviour of his glory, but aimed to extol him as far as I could understand the subject. I think for humility in the pulpit, he exceeds every minister I ever heard; he has laid down his carriage to do good, which, I think, shews a christian spirit; and if he holds any error, I think if ministers were to go to him, and reason with, and pray for him, it would be more becoming them than opposing him.—In the evening we came over to our own chapel, and was much gratified to see every thing at the Sacrament conducted with so much good order in your absence, by Mr. Park, who, though not a very great, is a very good man. There were a great number of Communicants, and a good congregational—all appeared solid. Pray father do not let any worthless character administer the ordinance, as I think it very presumptuous for a man, apparently destitute of grace, to say at the Lord’s Table, “I take this cup, in the fullest confidence that I shall drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.” I have just written to my dear Aunt, to inform her I shall stay a week longer here, as I am very comfortable.
I remain, dear Father,
Your affectionate and dutiful Daughter,
M. C.
Be so kind as not to read this letter to any one.
LETTER XVIII.
Achor’s Vale, January 1, 1819.
To my Daughter.
MY DEAR GIRL,
Agreeable to your request I have not read your letter to any one, but without your permission, I shall take the liberty to let many read it themselves. I know you will not thank me for it, but I hope others will, for the truths you have given me an opportunity of stating, in opposition to those awful heresies, which so awfully abound in the present day of general profession. I am well pleased that the Lord has been so far gracious to you, as to give you an attentive ear, a degree of light, an humble desire after the favour of God, and a sense of your interest in the dear Redeemer. These things, accompanied with a tender conscience, are most blessed signs—they are the buds, which I hope will blossom and bear fruit to the glory of God. But here you must not rest, the command is, “Go forward, and you shall know, as you follow on to know the Lord.” Seek him earnestly, diligently, fervently—never rest till you find him—eternal life is in him, and all that hate him love sin and death. Do not rest on any good desires, but on the object desired; this desire accomplished you will find sweet to the soul; follow hard after Jesus, and you will find him your God, your portion, your heaven, your all. And what a consolation to me will it be, that the Lord remembered you, or any of my dear children. I would endure many years privation as I now do, if I could obtain that blessing for you all, or for only one. A good woman in Scotland once said she had borne nine children, with great pain of body, and she would bear them all again for their eternal salvation. Although it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, yet every means must be used, as much as if salvation depended on them.
’Twill save you from a thousand snares,
To feel religion young;
Grace will preserve your growing years,
And glory crown the song.
Remember, my dear girl, while seeking the Lord—Father, Son, and Spirit—angels, saints, and good men—all the perfections and all the promises of God, are on your side.
But with respect to your account of Mr. E. I am not at all satisfied with it; his humility may be admired in a few external self denials, but his putting down his carriage as an act of humility is nothing, if he at the same time disdains the golden bottom of Solomon’s chariot, of the wood of Lebanon, ( 3rd chapter Solomon’s Song) the essential and eternal divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ—as Jehovah—as one in the divine essence—the self-existent and independent God. This is the glorious and alone foundation of the Church; and if Christ is not this adorable person, the angels in heaven must be guilty of rank idolatry, the Church will be lost, and I must sink under the curse of God. For all the angelic hosts adore him, the Church is built upon him, and I am trusting in him. For thus saith the Lord, “Cursed is man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” And if Christ is not God in the highest sense of the word, woe be to all who trust in him. But the scriptures are plain and positive upon this subject, for blessed are all they that put their trust in him. The gentleman whom you heard preach so many precious truths, I can say nothing about without hearing him myself; he may possess much humility, but if his heart has never been humbled by the grace of God, to bow to the testimony which God, Father, Son, and Spirit has given of Christ, his humility is not a grace, of the holy Spirit’s working, and all the good he may do to the bodies of the poor, yet if he is circulating poison to the soul, what will it avail them. No doubt some good men have reasoned with him, and I hope prayed for him, that God would bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred and are deceived. I have been informed that he is nothing but an Arian in his sentiments or views of Christ, and however clearly he may declare some of the grand calvinistic truths of the gospel, it is but building a castle in the air, as the great doctrines have no other basis, than the self-existence of the adorable Redeemer, and if this foundation be removed, what can the righteous do? The Atheist and the Sadducee are trying to remove this foundation, by denying an hereafter, or a world to come. The Deist is employed in the same work, by ridiculing the Scriptures. The Arminian hates the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, imputed to faith. The Socinian declares Christ is but a mere man. The Libertine sins that grace may abound. The Sabellians, and the new Jerusalem folks, as they, themselves—these deny the Personality, and, of course, the Divinity of the Father and the holy Spirit; and the deluded Arian denies the essential Divinity of the Son of God. Thus the Devil has employed these labourers to remove God’s foundation—to leave us without God, and like Satan himself, without hope.
But blessed be God for that faith which embraces the grand truth of the sacred pages; that there are three which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. The glorious record that each adorable person bears, is to the Divinity of Christ, as God over all, blessed for ever. Hear what the Father says of Christ, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” Hear what the Saviour says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” Hear also the testimony of the holy Spirit, “And his name shall be called wonderful counsellor—the mighty God.” The Arian does indeed admit, that Christ is God, but then it is only in a subordinate sense—only a God, by delegation and office. But then, this is making two Gods—one supreme, and the other subordinate, and to worship any thing below infinite divinity, is awful idolatry, for all men must honour the Son, as they honour the Father—“Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Angels and saints are commanded to adore and worship him, “Let all the angels of God worship him, for he is thy Jehovah, and worship thou him.”—It is certainly curious to see the Arian strutting about with this text, in 17th John, “This is life eternal to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” But when you remind him of 1st John, 5th chapter, 20th verse, he shrinks back, crying out, it is doubtful whether that part is inspired, And we know that the Son of God is come—this is the true God, and our eternal life; for if the Father is the true God, so also is Christ. Nothing proves this point so clearly as the glorious and incommunicable name of Jehovah, given him, as at once expressive of his underived independent self-existent Deity, as one in the adorable Godhead. But this subject would fill a volume of immense size. Let me bring to your view, a few out of the many glorious testimonies given in the Bible, and by comparing scripture with scripture, you will through grace see their beauty, Isaiah viii, 13, 14, Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear and your dread, and he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel. See how the apostle Peter explains this text, and applies it to his Lord. 1st Peter, ii, 7, 8. Isaiah vi, 5, Mine eyes have seen the king, the Lord of Hosts. See how this belongs to Christ, John xii, 41. Isaiah xliv, 6, Thus saith the Lord, the king of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts—I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no God. See Revelations xxii, 13. Isaiah iv, 3, 11, I, even I am the Lord, and besides me there is no Saviour; and Peter stiles him our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Psalm lxxviii, 56, They tempted and provoked the most high God. 1st Corinthians, x, 9, Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted him. John iii, 29, He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom. Isaiah, liv, 5, For thy Maker is thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name. Psalm 23, Jehovah is my shepherd. John x, 16, There shall be one fold and one shepherd. John xx, 28, And Thomas said my Lord and my God. Romans ix, 5, Of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God, blessed for ever. Psalm 100, Know ye that the Lord he is God, and we are the people of his pasture. John x, He, Christ, calleth his own sheep by name. Feed my sheep, saith Christ to Peter. Feed the flock of God said Peter. Collosians ii, 8, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead, bodily. And this is his name whereby he shall be called—Jehovah our righteousness. Why callest thou me good, there is none good but one, that is God.—And his name shall be called The mighty God. Revel, i, 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which is, which was, and which is to come—the Almighty.
I could quote a vast number more grand passages, to shew you that Christ is equal with the Father, one in the undivided essence, the object of worship, possessed of every divine perfection, the way to God, the suitable Saviour of his church, and the glory of God, angels, and saints; but these are enough one would think, to convince any reasonable being, but such, alas, is human depravity, that nothing short of almighty power can give faith to believe the record which God has given of his Son. In these few texts, our adorable Jesus is called the Lord of Hosts, the mighty God, Jehovah, God over all; my God, the most high God, and the Almighty; and if the testimony of a worm might be added—
That Christ is God I can avouch,
And for his people cares,
For I have pray’d to him as such,
And he has heard my prayers.
The Lord give you an experimental knowledge of himself as your Saviour.
I remain, your affectionate
Father,
Ruhamah.
P.S. Have you seen that truly excellent tract, called the Young Cottager, written by that blessed man of God, Rev. Leigh Richmond? I beg you will often read it, as it, I think, excels all the tracts I ever read, except Dr. Hawker’s; it possesses the elegance of Hervey and the fervour of Hawker, sweetly combined.
LETTER XIX.
Achor’s Vale, September 1, 1818.
Miss Davies,
MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,
I fear my nerves will scarcely permit me to drop you a few lines. What a day have I passed through! Solemn period, but I hope blissful one to the unhappy, happy men. No doubt you felt for me exceedingly, knowing how near to me the late events would occur. On Sunday our worthy Chaplain preached the condemned sermon, I choose rather to call it their coronation sermon, as he then gave a most, affecting, but blessed account of their state, and looking round upon a weeping congregation, he begged leave to use the words of his master, on a very affecting occasion, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep for yourselves, not me.” The poor men who were condensed to die, wanted no pity, they had obtained mercy, they now only needed the prayers of God’s people, for his upholding hand, his supporting power, and his soul-comforting presence, at the last, the solemn, the affecting moment of their dissolution. I am informed they had it, but as I have not yet had the particulars of their conversion and happy death from any spiritual person, I cannot write you to that effect, but as soon as I can possibly gain the account, I will send it to you, knowing your heart will, and does leap for joy, at the real conversion of any sinner, but especially those who were so near death and eternity. I hope the account will be well authenticated. This morning, Monday, I awoke early, and was enabled to pour out strong cries and supplications to God, for the poor men, that they might feel the joys of salvation, as they approached their painful end. At seven o’clock the solemn church-bell tolled; but at eight o’-clock, all my powers were affected by the chapel bell answering it. I knew then the procession was begun, I knew then the subject was real, every stroke of the church bell seemed to say, Come! and every sound of the chapel bell responsed, We come! We come! I felt every sound at my heart, and it again brought me on my knees in earnest prayer, that a dear Saviour would meet them at the place of execution. They arrived about an hour after on the place; I could not see them, but I heard nearly all that passed. The first sound was singing, I judged it was the lamentation of a sinner, one verse, and which I think comprehends every thing at once.
Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask—
This is the total sum,
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit,
Lord let that mercy come.
This prayer will suit the holiest believer, living and dying. After a pause, as I judged, everything was preparing for the awful stroke. I heard one of them pray, but not being near enough I could not distinguish his words. As he drew to a close I heard the fatal drop fall which launched them into the presence of God. I burst into tears, yea I thought my heart would have broke. I could only then dart up ejaculatory prayers that the Lord Jesus would receive their departing spirits. But grief overpowered me all the day; I could not lift up my head with any pleasure. I was pensive and distressed. A multitude of very affecting ideas floated on my mind, and grief and gratitude took their several turns; but I am as well as can be expected after so severe a shock. I only fear a revival of sorrow on Sunday, when I sit in view of the spot where I last saw them. Glad shall I be to send you some good account of them in my next.
On the evening previous to the execution, I read part of the solemn funeral service of the Church, and expounded to the prisoners in this class, the 15th of the first of Corinthians. The subject of the Resurrection was very interesting, and my mind was devoutly engaged for some time with the chapter. I had occasion, for the first time I believe, to expatiate on that singular verse, 29, Else what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not?—The passage would receive some easier comment if rendered over the dead, as Greek critics will allow, it being customary for the primitive christians to baptize their proselytes over the graves of the believing dead. This is the way some learned men make it out. The plain matter of fact is, that superstition had began to encroach on the simplicity of the Gospel, even in Paul’s days, and many ignorantly supposed that the ordinance of Baptism was inseparably connected with the pardon of Sin. From this mistaken notion, many postponed their Baptism till their last moments; the consequence of which was, many dying suddenly were not baptized at all—their superstitious relatives imagined it would be an act of charity to the dead to be baptized for them, in their name and stead, begging of God at the same time, to accept the Baptism of the proxy, as though it had been administered to the principal. Hence others translate the passage, What shall they do who are baptized for, or instead of the dead. But if the dead rise not again this imaginary labour of love can answer no valuable end. Why then do you doubt the Resurrection of the dead?
May God the Holy Spirit quicken our souls into the enjoyment of the favour of God, the knowledge of our pardon and justification in Christ, and enable us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, is the earnest prayer of
Ruhamah.
LETTER XX.
Achor’s Vale, June 6, 1818.
Mrs. Blinkinsop,
MY MOST AFFECTIONATE FRIEND,
Can I ever forget your concern, good wishes, prayers, and endeavours for my best interest? You have carefully watched for my good as a Sister, felt for me as a Mother, and done me all the good you could as a Christian. May God most kindly reward you, and if not in this world, in temporal things, he will own you in that day when he shall make up his jewels—and never will he let your dear children, perhaps, go unrewarded. He will be a God to you and a Guardian to them.
I hear you think of going into the country this summer, if so I shall not be favored with a visit for a long time. I hope you will not go, but that I must leave to your better judgement. I have been very much cast down since I last saw you, nor do I expect to be much otherwise. When we walk contrary to God, we know that he will walk contrary to us; but he has most kindly declared that when the heart is humbled, he will appear to our joy. I find the third chapter of the Lamentations of Jeremiah very sweet to me at times, it is worth your reading, as it is so suitable to my case and state, and no doubt you will find it good to read it very often; the former part no doubt belongs to Christ—he was the man that had seen affliction, by the rod of God’s wrath, and it is well for us that he bore that for us, or else we must have borne it for ever, in that place where hope never comes. You have found him a good and gracious Saviour. He has helped you in many a need. He has delivered you in many a trouble. He has enabled you to believe in him, to love him as he is set forth in the Gospel, a Saviour. He is well calculated to be a Saviour, as he is God with God. He loved our nature so well that he chose it in preference to the angels, though we had sinned worse than they did—yet such was his love for us that he gave himself for us. He lived an holy life of obedience for us, which the adorable Father imputes to us for our justification, while the ever blessed Spirit opens our blind eyes, and gives us to see, and feel our need of that righteousness; having none of our own fit to appear before God in, we need it, believe in it, trust in it, and hope to be saved by it. O my dear, kind friend! may you and I be better acquainted with God’s love in providing such a way for a poor sinner to be saved. May we have a stronger faith, a larger mind and affections, to receive Christ as he is revealed in the Word. The Bible reveals Christ to us, but the Spirit must reveal Christ in us. We are poor guilty creatures, and need pardon for all sin. He has shed his blood to make atonement—a satisfaction for sin, and having died for our sin, he is gone to heaven to present his Person and his Work to God for us. He is interceding there—he ever lives to plead our cause, to conquer our enemies, to carry on the work of salvation, to hear our prayers, to watch over us in our sorrows, to support us in our calamity, to deliver us, in his own time and way, and finally to bring us home to glory—
There we shall see his face,
And never, never sin;
There, from the rivers of his grace,
Drink endless pleasures in.
There we may meet to celebrate the riches of divine grace, and experience the joys of that friendship, which is only begun in this world, but is often sadly interrupted by sin and sorrow.
Fearing you will leave town, I thought it right to drop this token of my most sincere regard and gratitude. May every good be thine, and God be glorified in our eternal salvation. What is there in this lower world worth living for?—it is full of changes, trials, and sorrow. May we come up out of the wilderness, leaning on the beloved, longing to get home, and daily dying to all the world. Getting better acquainted with Jesus, by the teachings of the Holy Spirit. I feel at times very much deprest indeed, but have no doubt but that all things will work for good, and,
Though painful at present ’twill cease before long,
And then, O how pleasant the conqueror’s song.
God bless you, my dear, my much-loved friend—time is on the wing—soon we shall look back and say, He hath done all things well.
I remain, Your’s truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XXI.
Achor’s Vale, Dec. 6, 1818.
Mrs. Darby,
MY DEAR SISTER IN THE LORD,
I have read your letter, with sacred pleasure, containing an account of the Lord’s gracious dealings with your soul. I wish every member of the Church would write me something of their experience, that I might judge of their state, for, as experience worketh hope, when we know a person’s experience we can judge of their hope. It is the custom of some Churches, when persons are admitted, to give in a written experience; this is a good custom, as many people are too timid to appear and speak of the dealings of God with them, in the whole face of an assembly, not that they are ashamed of the work of God upon them, but they may be naturally timid. I have always endeavoured to be as familiar to those who come to me about spiritual things as I could, with any propriety, and even that has been attended with a disadvantage, as the enemy has turned that against one. I wish I could never speak to any but the Lord’s own children. I never found them any snare to my soul, but I have found mere empty gay professors to be a snare. David personated Christ when he expressed the feelings of his soul, in the 16th Psalm, “The saints, the excellent of the earth, are my delight.” The Lord made David sick of every body else, yet no man was ever so plagued with a parcel of hypocrites as he was. His prime minister, Achithophel, was a snare to him. His chief captain, Joab, was always a trouble, and his darling son, Absalom, was always a most profound, ungrateful, cruel hypocrite. Yet the Lord’s people were dear to David’s soul, and why? because they were dear to Christ; bore his image, trusted in him, looked for him, and walked as it became their profession. And I must remind Mrs. D. that the Apostle has pointed out a most decided evidence of a real believer, “We know we are passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. And he that loves him that begets, loves him, also, that is begotten of him.” You could not love a believer as a child of God; if you was not a child of God yourself. Sinners love sinners, but they cannot saints, as saints. But while I would have you bless God for this grace given you, and while I would bless God on your behalf, yet, I trust, you will not rest on present attainments, but go on to know Christ, that you may be found in him. I always find it the safest way to thank God for what he has done for me, but when I reflect upon the attainments of hypocrites I am alarmed, and go to the Saviour, daily, just as I did when I first set out, a poor needy, guilty sinner in myself, condemned by law and conscience, with a nature as depraved as the worst creature breathing, and standing in as much need of teaching and keepings of drawing and renewing, as I ever did. To this Paul alludes, nay exhorts, “As ye have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk ye in him.” You can well remember the bondage of spirit you felt under the Law, and how precious the person of Christ, as a complete Saviour, was to you—how precious he appeared in his mediatorial capacity, as an atoning sacrifice, putting away sin, as the end of the law, fulfilling all its demands, and, as an intercessor, pleading your cause. You need this same Jesus every day, and will want him as much in the article of death, as you did when the Lord first gave you to feel your need of him—and I am sure you will bless the Lord for ever leading you to feel that need so deeply. We are great sinners, and need a great Saviour, every day, and all the day. In reading your letter of the Lord’s dealings with you, I cannot help exclaiming, And will God in very deed dwell with sinners on the earth? Yes, for he has said “I will dwell in them, and walk in them.” Male and female are all one in Christ Jesus. He has condescended to choose a portion of our nature, and unite it to the dear Son of his love—the Son of God—God the Son: and in the choice of our nature, and the person of his Son, he chose all the millions that shall be saved, united them to Christ, and then viewed them complete in him. Thus the head and the members rose together in the mind, the purpose, and decree of Jehovah. To these he designed to manifest himself as the God of all grace, in the covenant of redemption and mercy—in the mysterious incarnation of Christ—in the meritorious holiness of his life—in the putting away sin by his awful sorrows, and in rising from the dead to justify his own work, and as the first fruits of them that sleep in him. And is it not wonderful that God the Holy Spirit should ever visit you? Can you not often ask, with your sister Ruth, “Why have I found grace in thy sight, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me, seeing I am but a stranger.” It becomes you to be thankful. This will bring more blessings to you, in a way of enjoyment; and as the Lord has taught you, humbled your spirit, and melted you with his love—brought you to receive the truth in the love of it, so I trust you will be more devoted to him. He is worthy of your highest affection, your daily addresses, and warmest gratitude. The Lord help you to adorn that gospel you love, to sympathize with the afflicted in the household of faith, to warn the unruly, and encourage the weak ones of the flock. Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head lack no ointment. Strive to become a mother in Israel, by an increase of spiritual knowledge; then your faith will grow, and your hope abound.
Kind respects to Mr. D. I am much pleased the Lord has not forgotten him, he has seen the meaning of God’s promise; “I will take you one of city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” And the Saviour, will, I trust, present you all faultless, before the throne of his glory, to himself in himself in the millennium; and at last he will present you to his Father and your Father, his God and your God, when God, Father, Son, and Spirit will be all in all.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you all, as a family. Pray for me, that I may be kept and sanctified.
Your’s, in him,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XXII.
Valley of Achor, March 1st, 1818.
Miss Harris.
MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND.
Mr. K. requested I would drop you a few lines. I beg your acceptance of such as I may write at this time, in very painful circumstances. Believe me, my friend, I most sensibly feel the hand of God; my poor heart it broken, my sighs are many, and my heart it faint. But I call to mind past times, when I certainly have known, tasted, and felt the precious truth I once preached, and then I thank God and take courage. The Lord has designed from all eternity, to bring his children home to his eternal bliss; but then he has, also, appointed all the means to lead to that one grand end. This was, perhaps, shewn to pious Jacob, in a vision of a ladder, which he afterwards called the house of God, and the gate of Heaven. Christ is all these; he is the way, he is the house, he is the gate: and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead his people up to him, as the way of life.
This is the way God has taught me, and the way only where I find any solid peace in a world of cares, sin, and death. These are the seven steps up the ladder, up the way of life; and the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he shall direct his way, and I am sure he always directs to the dear Redeemer. May you feel inwardly directed to him, and in the word, and by a faithful ministry outwardly directed also. But it is not enough to be directed there, we must be led by a divine hand, power must be put forth, for the kingdom is not in word, but in power. Nor am I satisfied with any person’s ministry, except I feel that power—any man with truth floating in his head, may send me to Jesus; but I want the power to attend that direction, to bring me to him, knowing, that as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. A soul, when formed anew, quickened and illuminated, is led to Christ by God the Father, who owns and receives the soul. Nor is there any coming in reality, but as we are led. You may see this in our first parents; Eve was a part of Adam, and we are a part of Christ, the fruit of his sufferings and death. For except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth fruit. The Lord having formed Eve, brought her to Adam, and he declared the union between her and him. He loved her, received her, and she was dear to him. I leave you to make all other reflections upon this subject, and trust the blessed spirit will lead you to see and enjoy it in your own soul. I am truly happy the Lord has impressed your mind with his spirit, while in youth—’tis most blessed to know the adorable Trinity, as our new Creators, in this time of our life. Altho’ we have got to bear the burden and heat of the day yet it is a mercy to be hired early in the morning, it is all of grace, from first to last, nor will one chosen vessel in glory, have any greater share of God’s smiles, or be nearer the throne than another, though called as early as Jeremiah and John the Baptist, or late as the Thief on the Cross. You will have much to struggle with, many days of darkness and grief, but the blessed spirit will turn all into good for you, by taking every opportunity of glorifying Christ, in his salvation and offices; and the deeper your knowledge of Jesus, the richer will be your soul in heavenly things. The more you are brought into an acquaintance with the God-Man Mediator, the sweeter will be your communion and fellowship, till it arrives to real earnests and foretastes of glory. But all the principal difficulty will consist in being led to understand how to live a life of faith, out of self, upon the Son of God—it is for want of the clear knowledge of this, I am in my present trouble; this may astonish you, but God knoweth I lie not—a future day may explain that to the Church. I understand the Lord has blessed you with an affectionate heart towards your dear Mother, and he will reward it. I have often envied the felicity of those who have a kind mother to care for, watch over, pity, and help them; but Ah! poor me was left by parents, cruel and unkind, to perish, till I was found an helpless infant. For me no tender mother has yielded her fostering care, but
Left on the world’s bleak waste, forlorn,
In sin conceiv’d, to sorrow born:
No guide the dreary waste to tread,
Above, no friendly shelter spread.
But the Lord had some kind, and I hope gracious design, in preserving me till now, though my distress has often made me blame, like Job, the kind hand that took me up when an out-cast. I am still the child of woe, the hand of God and man appears against me in providence, and my distress of mind is great—my dear friends deprived of my public labors, and exposed to the shafts of cruel calumny. My dear family without a fond mother, and now deprived of a father they dearly loved, and whose paternal embraces they eagerly prized: but now
No Children run to lisp their Sire’s return,
Or climb his knees, the envied kiss to share—
Excuse me, tears will not let me proceed. May the dear Saviour bless you. We live in a dying world; a few more rising and setting suns will settle all. May we aim to know, to win, and to be found in Christ: clothed with his righteousness, pardoned with his blood, purified by his spirit, filled with his love, and for ever delighted with his glory.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER XXIII.
Valley of Achor, January 3rd, 1819.
Mrs. Brown,
MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,
I can never sufficiently thank you for your christian sympathy, affectionate concern, and fervent desires for my best interests, that you can weep with those that weep, especially for the afflictions of Joseph. Amos 6th. This is a most blessed and decided evidence that the love of God reigns in the heart; and though this principle is often hid from its happy possessor, perhaps it is better seen by others; but if our love is genuine, it bears a resemblance to the love of God, to his Son, and to his children. Now as dear Mrs. Brown is often in bondage about her part and lot in Christ, and as love is the most decided proof of that interest, let us examine this subject. Hence the Saviour compares a believer who is not clear about his interest in the favour of God, or has seen it and lost it, to a Woman having ten pieces of silver, and having lost one. Mind, it is a Woman, not a careless Man, who, if he had lost any thing would give a general look and pass it by rather carelessly, only perhaps saying, Well, I am very sorry I have lost it too—and here the matter rests—but to a Woman assiduous, careful, attentive, and vext with her loss. The nine pieces of silver refer no doubt to the graces of the Holy Spirit, but the tenth to the knowledge of the reality and enjoyment of them. Time was, perhaps you could say, you knew and believed the love that God had for you, and no doubt but you had love in return. But the scene has since changed, and you have had to combat with enemies without, and worse within; and on account of their prevalency, you have often been permitted to question the reality of all you experienced before, while busy Satan has suggested, Where is your religion now? Where is your love to Christ? Are you a Christian? Up starts Unbelief, and says, I will never believe a person can be a partaker of Christ, be in Christ, love Christ, or ever be one of Christ’s, that can think as you think, say as you say, or do as you do. No, no, says carnal Reason, why it stands to common sense, that a converted person is a changed one altogether. Now Mrs. B. looks within, thinks deep of it, while the dust these things have raised, blinds her eyes, that she sees not her spiritual signs, but listens to those suggestions, and rashly concludes against herself, that, perhaps, all her past experience was but fancy. Under these fears we live too long. Ephraim, says God, is an unwise Son, for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. But perhaps some sweet idea occurs about Christ and his love, his work and his word; or some very precious sermon, chapter, or hymn. This comes and revives the old work; Satan withdraws, hope springs up, and a thirst for God is felt again. Now we begin to stir, to light a candle, to sweep the house, and to search diligently for the sense of God’s love, favor, and pardoning mercy. Sweeping is self-examination, comparing spiritual things with spiritual—that is, our judgement, experience, and views, with God’s word. Lighting a candle is going to Christ, as the true light, enabling you to see his glory, his beauty, his goodness. And this glory, goodness, and beauty is called his loving kindness, “We have thought of thy loving kindness in thy temple.” And this is what David prayed for, I have desired of the Lord, that I may see the beauty of the Lord. “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty.” And surely the Lord never appears so beautiful to us, as when he appears, a God, pardoning our sins. Well may we exclaim, And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; I know you can say Amen to this. Moses desired to see the glory of God, and the Lord promised to cause his goodness to pass before him, and proclaimed, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Thus all his excellencies are seen in this great act; and sure I am, that a sweet clear sight of this blessing, is more worth than a thousand worlds. This will cause us to shout victory in death and judgement. O may you not only hope, but see this blessing; and not only see it, but enjoy it, for it is the joint work of the adorable Trinity. The Father foresaw all our guilt, and secretly purposed to pardon it. The dear Redeemer foresaw all that our sins would merit, and engaged to bear it. And the divine, the blessed Spirit, foresaw all our backslidings, yet engaged to enable us to believe—we are pardoned and justified in the name and by the Spirit of our God.
I wish you much of this blessing, in believing views of Christ. The Lord has enlightened you to see Jesus as altogether lovely; your will has chosen him, your heart is at rest when he is truly precious, and you can say, he is supreme in your affections. Bless his dear name for it; his love is set upon you, and Satan knows it, if you don’t, and he will follow up the Lord’s work diligently, either to destroy it, or to set you doubting its reality. But the principal part is love, and all our love to Jesus is but a reflection of his love to us. He says, Yea, I have loved thee; and we can reply, And Lord I desire to love thee most supremely. God loves his dear Son, and so do we; he loves his truth, so do we; he loves his saints, and so do we. He hates their sins, so do we; he pities their infirmities, so do we; he forgives their follies, so do we; he feels for them in trouble, so do we; he visits them in prison of soul, or circumstances, so do we; he loves their company, prayers, praises, converse, and prosperity of soul, so do we; he hates their enemies, with all their cruelty and malice, so do we; he will one day punish their enemies, unless grace prevent it, and we shall say Amen to it.
Thus, in a very simple manner, have I shewed the reality of Bible love. But I want to live such a life of faith on Jesus, as Paul did, when he said, The life I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, as Jesus did, as man, on his divine Father. So we should live on Jesus, as God-Man Mediator, on his eternal unchanging love; his covenant engagements; his meritorious work of obedience; his putting away sin, by his sufferings and death; his intercession at the Father’s right hand, and his glorious office, as an advocate for us, ever pleading his blood, with which God is well pleased. On him may we live, to him may we go, and him in every thing employ. We are sinners, and need his grace, guilty, and need his blood, condemned, and need his righteousness, weak, and need his arm, miserable, and need his mercy, rebellious, and need his long suffering. Thus we are poor and needy, and every promise in the Bible made to such, is your’s. O that we could so resist Satan, when he comes to dispute us out of these things, that we might take courage and read them all as our own. Then we shall be rich indeed, for God is faithful to his Son, in whom they are made; and to his people, to whom they are revealed.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.