LETTER XLV.
Valley of Achor, Nov. 14th, 1818.
Mr. Freeman.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
Grace be with you. The hand of our Father has separated us for a time; this is done in infinite wisdom, and I hope in covenant love. I do not pretend to say my case is similar to the holy apostle Paul’s, but I trust there is the same grand end to be answered, by my captivity. Several, I hope, will have to bless God that I was ever brought into this place: some poor run-away servant, like Onesimus—some prodigal character, and strange to tell, some proud and self-conceited pharisee, I hope, has learnt a little by my feeble efforts in this place—the only way to God. I have great hopes of an awful character also—nor have I any great desire to leave this captivity, till I see what the Lord is about to do with him. I see much wisdom in my removal from the Church for a time: many grew tired of the repeated messages of mercy which I constantly delivered, and would travel all day long in search of some other preachers: this was not acting like contented children. And I know also, that the Lord would remove me away for a time, because those Israelites began to loathe the manna; for this purpose fiery serpents were sent in among them. Christ calls some people serpents, and their lying tongues are compared to fire. These have stung the people, but let us look to him who is lifted upon the pole of the Gospel, and who alone can cure our wounds, and heal all our diseases. I am much pleased in hopes of seeing this sweet text yet accomplished, (30th Isaiah) “Moreover the light of the moon, shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold, as the light of seven days, when the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wind”—Selah. But my dear Friend, I also am highly culpable; persecution having ceased, and prosperity come on, faith could not grow in this state. I mixed too much with the world, and grew too careless of God’s tried ones—the rod was wanted, had it been spared, I should have been spoilt, but my heavenly Father would not spare for my much crying; it is now my duty, and mercy to detain this messenger, and read what the Lord means by it, knowing the master’s feet is behind, I hope, with many a blessing for us all. It is in this confidence I hope yet to praise Him, who now supports, consoles, upholds, and often smiles on my soul. In his presence is life—My presence shall go with thee. Whither shall I flee from thy presence? Is not this presence the Holy Spirit himself, who is promised to the Church? And is not Christ himself the very life of the soul? Is he not the very life of heaven above, and the life of the Church? Do you not see and feel a deadness in a congregation, and under a sermon, if your Lord is not all in all? Is not every place without him, like the empty grave of Christ? They may be good moral men, both the minister and the people; such angels may be sitting at the head and feet of that Church, but no spiritual Mary can be happy, if the Master is not there. The grave cloaths may be well folded up, and the napkin that was about the head, in a place by itself; these things our dear Lord left behind him, and if the veil is taken from our eyes, if our bonds are loosed, we must leave those things which bound us by nature. Legal ceremonies and pharisaic works—these must be left in Christ’s grave, we have nothing to do with them; if we be risen with Christ, we must seek those things which are above. I trust you are quickened by his power, that the Holy Spirit is leading you to Christ, as the resurrection and the very life of your soul: that you feel after him, when he is distant, feel for him in his sorrows, and feel miserable when you are not allowed to draw near. Is this your experience? blessed be God if it is. Do observe—when all is dark within then it is your time to go out to Christ: only read the 3rd. and the former part of the 5th chapter of Solomon’s Song, and if light is given you on these chapters, it will cast a radiancy on the way the Lord has led you. Still beg of God that my trials may be of use to me, and to many—time is on the wing, and if prayer did not succeed in keeping me from this place, nor yet in my speedy deliverance, yet, I have blessings in abundance, and this trial will turn out for the furtherance of the truth, through your prayers.
I hope the pious friendly Females I had the pleasure of seeing with you, are all well: give them my kind love, tell them it will be well. Wishing you every covenant blessing in enjoyment, especially that in the 8th chapter of Hebrews—10, 11, and 12th verses,
I remain, your’s, in Christ,
Ruhamah.