LETTER XVI.
Valley of Achor, March 26, 1818.
My dear Friend, Miss D.,
What apology shall I make for my long delay, but lowness of mind, and a tedious winter; and this, with you, I am sure is quite apology enough. I write you, concerning the once crucified, but now exalted Jesus. As it is the wish of my soul, to live to fill up the cup of some poor believer’s consolation, though I am denied that privilege at present, yet I hope to throw a mite into the Gospel treasury for you, by sending a few imperfect lines, which I must beg you to accept. O that I had but the wisdom of Solomon, the piety of a David, the knowledge of a Paul, the fervour of an Isaiah, the faith of an Abraham, the love of a John, with the tearful affections of a Mary, that I might speak good of his name. Christ is all in all; he is the very glory in the centre of Heaven, as the sun is in the universe. He is the joy of Heaven; and though he is far off us, yet he has promised ever to be with us. He is exactly suited to us in all our wants, and the love of Jehovah is in no case so eminently displayed, as in providing such a Jesus for us. So great, so kind, so glorious, and yet so precious. We shall soon be done time, and commence upon an eternal scene; then our knowledge will be complete, though no doubt, it will be expanding for ever, and the effects of it, even in Heaven, will be wonder, humility, and love, for the mind will incessantly be employed in roving over the glories of God; as the God of all grace, one in three, and three in one; seen, apprehended, enjoyed, beheld, and loved in Christ Jesus.
And now they range the heavenly plains,
And sing his love in melting strains;
Or, overwhelm’d with rapture sweet,
Sink down, adoring at his feet.
May this be our lot, and in order to that state, that bliss, that joy, and that sweet employment. May the eternal spirit give us such views of Christ, as shall cause us to long for the time.
We are poor sinners, guilty, and hell-deserving, condemned by a holy law, and exposed to a thousand miseries in this world; and in our fallen nature, to the woe of perdition. Christ is the Saviour of the lost; he was from all eternity raised up, and voluntarily offered himself to become the Saviour of his church. Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified—and for their sakes I sanctify myself. Set apart, separated, for his peoples’ salvation. Glory be to his dear name: he is God and man; had he been only God, we could not have been saved; had he been man only, he would not have been able to save us; but he is God and man; this at once secures the honors of his law, the glory of his perfections, and the salvation of his church. As God and man, he is the Lord, our righteousness, and as the atonement, which alone is efficacious, he is called the Lord and God, who laid down his life, and purchased the church with his blood. How most divinely adapted he was, and is, to save us. What a glorious meeting of divine excellencies are in him. Hence, the Father calls upon us, to behold him, Behold my servant, whom I uphold. The Lord Jesus declares, he will say of himself, Behold me, behold me! to a people who had not known him! and the holy Spirit points him out, by John; Behold the Lamb of God! I know my dear friend desires to know him, that she may believe in him, and love him. This encourages me to go on with my sweet subject, which I hope will not prove tedious to you. The person of Christ is most wonderful, it is greater than his glorious works, and ought to be for ever the theme of our discourse. Permit me, then, just to observe, there meets in Jesus, infinite highness, and infinite humility—infinite glory, and infinite condescension—infinite grace, and infinite justice—infinite majesty, and transcendent meekness—the deepest reverence of God, and an equality with God—infinite worthiness of good, and the greatest patience under evils—wonderful obedience, and supreme dominion over heaven and earth—the most perfect resignation, and absolute sovereignty—an entire trust in God, and yet self sufficiency in himself. Justice, mercy, and truth are sweetly combined in him, displayed through him, and shines in all he says, and in all he does; while, as an high priest, he makes intercession—as God and man, he demands the very blessings: Father, I will, that those whom thou hast given me, be with me. He is the lion to our foes; the lamb to our faith, and at times, he appears the lion in providence, while he is the lamb, in a way of grace, to the soul. This is your Christ.
All over glorious, is our Lord,
To be admired, and yet ador’d:
His worth, if all the nations knew,
I’m sure the world would love him too.
And so says,
Your’s truly,
Ruhamah.