Transcribed from the 1820 (second) R. Thomas edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

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THE
VOICE OF FAITH,
IN THE
Valley of Achor:

BEING A

Series of Letters

TO SEVERAL FRIENDS,

ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS.

By Ruhamah.

SECOND EDITION.

SOUTHWARK;

PRINTED BY R. THOMAS, RED LION STREET, BOROUGH.

1820.

LETTER I.

Valley of Achor, Aug. 10, 1818.

To Mr. K—G.

DEAR SIR.

Many thanks for the loan of the invaluable books, containing the last fragments of the late venerable and spiritual Jenkins, of Lewes.—Surely it may be said with propriety, “He being dead yet speaketh,” but it is only to those who are taught of God. We speak, says the Apostle, to wise men, not to unhumbled, unrenewed, carnal men, nor to mere nominal professors, nor to those who are barely resting in a form of words, tho’ sound—such persons cannot digest the experimental truths they contain; there was a time once when they would not suit me, but I have found them exceedingly precious; nor do I think that tried man had a sensation, a trial, a grief, a temptation, an enemy, a sin, a corruption, a fear, a doubt, or misgiving, but what the Lord has permitted me to feel; nor do I think he was favored me with one token or pleasing hope, an help, a deliverance, a gracious smile, or a display of the divine faithfulness, in the application and fulfilment of the promises, but the Lord has also indulged me with similar mercies. I must recommend them to the poor of Christ’s flock who wait on and for the Lord, till pardoning mercy is revealed with some power.—I know you are anxious to learn how I go on in soul matters, this is the main concern with you and with all my real friends in Christ. I have now no other way left to inform you satisfactorily, but by letter, and I certainly could fill volumes on the subject of my daily experience of the teachings of the ever blessed Spirit; nor have I any objection to make this subject known to you, and to all those who are concerned for my best interest: this is the principal point, to exalt the Lord Jesus, in the grand displays of his grace to the most unworthy—and I can say to his glory, he has, I trusts most effectually humbled me in the dust, laid me low, shewed me such views of sin as I never saw before, and quickened my soul to feel what it never so sensibly and deeply felt before. I do experience that the tendency of his gracious influences meeken, soften, and humble the heart; rendering it also teachable and grateful. This I could demonstrate by reciting a variety of experiences I have been favored with, but I pass by numbers, to relate one in particular, that I can never forget in this and a coming world.

After I had been in this furnace some weeks, in which I felt as others do in similar cases, much grief, anger, rebellion, and discontent, but not quite without a spirit of prayer, that I might be favored with the very gracious visits of the Saviour, and a sense of God’s approbation in my own soul, though despised by others. I entreated the Lord to shew me the exceeding sinfulness of sin, as well as I could bear it, for I am convinced no man could ever behold sin in all its malignity, none but the God-Man could bear that—yet I desired to see sin as most abominable in God’s sight. These petitions were in time answered; the Lord led me to reflect deeply in my retired moments, on the nature of sin, original and actual.—This knowledge of it increased, till one evening, being alone, I was most completely overpowered with a solemn stillness of spirit, a view of sin, my own sins of heart, lip, and life; these crouded in my mind. I felt guilty. I stood condemned. I had a fearful apprehension of God’s just displeasure; all was dark within, except sin and the anger of God—these were clear enough; horror overwhelmed me, and I sunk low at the footstool of divine mercy; I feared, I trembled, I was brought low, I was troubled. I saw nothing of a Saviour, though I had so often preached about him. Head notions were nothing now—past experience was hid, and every gracious promise of the Bible was closed up for a time. What a state to be in! But I believe this was drinking of the bitter cup our Saviour drank so deeply: this was, in one sense, being crucified with Christ, and having fellowship with him in his sufferings. These feelings will give a man a real understanding of all those texts which refer to soul trouble, in the book of Job, the Psalms of David, the feelings of Jeremiah, and perhaps, what Paul felt during the three days he was without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. These feelings will make me sympathize with the soul that is afflicted, and experiences the terrors of the Almighty.

But I do esteem it among my many special favors, that this did not continue but part of a night. I sank down in shame and guilt, condemning myself and acknowledging the justice of God in my condemnation. But while in this state, thus broken, contrite, and filled with holy awe, I was kept pleading for mercy, present mercy as well as future. While on my knees prostrate, as Elijah on another occasion, or, as Jeremiah words it, Putting my mouth in the dust; and although I really was filled with fear lest I should be cut off, yet at this very time the Lord gently led my mind, or rather brought the following words, very softly to my heart; they were at first seemingly at a distance, but drew nearer at I listened and observed them. The words were, “I have caused thine iniquities to pass from thee, and have clothed thee with change of raiment.” I observed, my mind could not gladly receive this sentence, fearing presumption—but they still followed me, and abode with me, till the horror, terror, fears, and darkness gradually dispersed, and my mind was enabled so far to receive them as to cause a present ease, which continued with me a few days longer. I found the peace they brought with them continue, and I was in a small degree helped to believe they were from God to me, and as much mine as they were Joshua’s, to whom they were spoken; but though my thoughts were in a measure fixed upon them, yet I was not without being assaulted with some misgivings of heart. I concluded it best to entreat the Lord to shew me this more powerfully, and not only to put the words in my mind, but to write them so effectually that I might know, without the shadow of a doubt, I was actually interested in the capital blessings the words contained. This was most divinely manifested in a few days afterwards, as I was in the act of reading some remarks of the truly excellent Mr. Toplady, on Justification by the imparted Righteousness of the adorable God-Man. I was actually overcome with a sweet surprize of the love of God to me in Christ Jesus, making his dear Son a sin offering, and his people righteousness in him. I was enabled to feel such solid peace, holy joy, and sacred pleasure in my soul as can never be described by tongue or pen. I was melted by the power of his love, and indulged with such access to God, that every doubt, fear, and misgiving of heart was removed. I saw, I knew, I felt that I was reconciled to God, and that God was my Father, my Saviour, and my Comforter.—Oh, that I had then sunk into the arms of death! O that I had been permitted to take my flight; at that time the Saviour had engaged my heart, nor could I then have sinned against him for the world. I want many such sweet manifestations of his sensible presence; and I can assure you, painful as my situation is, I would gladly endure it again for such enjoyments. But I must observe, these blessed seasons are unknown to carnal professors, and never enjoyed, even by the favorites of heaven while in a light, careless, carnal frame of soul; no—the promise runs thus, “To this man will I look, (and surely it was a look of love which I experienced) and with him will I dwell, who is poor and of a contrite heart, and that trembles at my word.”

Knowing you can rejoice in my prosperity, having mourned in my adversity, I write thus freely.—Do as you please with the letter; if it is of any consolation to your spiritual acquaintances, let them read it likewise, but let them remember, I do not send it to gain applause, but that they may glorify God on my behalf. And as to many others, I am very sorry I ever had their good opinion at all.

I must just remark, that such blessed sensations as I have here described, is not believing, but rather the end of our faith, the present salvation of the soul. It is a manifestation of pardoning mercy, as an evidence of full and free justification in Christ—this is, in the best of senses, obtaining mercy; as such, I shall make bold to change my subscription from J. C. to the name the Lord has given to elect Gentiles, in the second chapter of Hosea.—Wishing you a clean hand, a warm heart, and a holy life,

I remain, your’s in him,
Ruhamah.