LETTER XVII.
Valley of Achor, March 25, 1818.
My kind Friend, Mrs. O.
Grace and peace be to you. The wise and good, but solemn providence of God, having deprived me of the public opportunity of comforting my afflicted friends, I have no other means of doing it, but by a few lines, about the best, the most import, and precious objects, which will take eternity itself, fully to unfold. You, doubtless, must lament with me, the narrowness of our minds, in receiving the most blessed things, with the intrusion of necessary business—the cares of life—the heavy conflicts we have also to experience, with many painful visits from the enemy of our souls—the native reluctant of the body, and the pressure of many trying thoughts. These hinder our running the heavenly race, these keep us down, so that we cannot rise in heavenly mindedness; and a sense of our past sins, makes us ready to halt, so that we cannot walk comfortably. But though this is our case, yet blessed be God, we are not in despair, nor are we out of the promise: They that wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; and blessed are all they that wait for me. This made David deliver this charge: My soul, wait thou only on God, for my expectation is from him. What, alas! should we do without the promises? Grace made them, but the hand of divine truth is to make them good. Our wants, woes, and miseries, were all known and consulted, by the adorable trinity; and dark as we are about the mystery of God, all is clear to himself. But I lament, I feel a proneness to judge of the Lord, by carnal reason, and this is like judging of an unfinished picture, by the original. We must stay till it is finished: or, like judging of a watch, when it is all in pieces; we may admire it when put together. I often catch myself at this work, especially when I am very low, nervous, and tried in mind, temper, and providence. This is very carnal. May the blessed spirit quicken faith to rise, and wing its way to eternal love, eternal grace, eternal mercy, and eternal kindness. This is its proper element: here we are at home; here is liberty, peace, joy, and satisfaction. Here we see infinite wisdom, contriving a time when, a place where, and a manner how merciful kindness, and melting pity should be manifested. Here we see every sweet attribute harmonize, and every grace displayed, while the cross of your dear lovely, loving Saviour appears truly glorious. See the cluster of excellencies around it, hymning its praises, with harps of love. Faith begins the song; hope, full of immortality joins; loves notes are clearly heard; joy is sweetly provoked to help repentance with her deep sounding notes. Zeal most cheerfully moves her fingers on the harp, while fear, more silently, more reverently touches the strings. Patience most meekly assists, and humility sounds her simple airs; yet there is not one discordant string. Angels listen, and the redeemed above, beckon us home to the general assembly, that all may bear in the chorus. And this will be the burden of the song; worthy is the lamb that was slain: but why the Lamb? but because, in him, and in his love, person and work, all the glory of the God of grace is most eminently displayed.
Here we see the Father’s grace,
Beaming in the Saviour’s face.
In Christ Jesus the glory of God shines, and God is glorified in him; and God glorified Christ, as man-mediator in himself, when he brought him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand. Gave him to be head over all things, and to fill his people with spiritual good. He was deeply humbled, and sorely tried—he was sharply tempted, and sadly afflicted, before his exaltation, and we must be conformed to his image. Before honor, is humility. Christ found it so, and all his followers must. But when troubles abound, is it not strange? that though this is the very time the Saviour is most tender, most careful, and most indulgent of us, as a parent is of a sick child, more than the strong and healthy. Yet these are the very seasons we have most fears, most cares, and most terrors; when, in reality, we have the least reason. How then, is that text? For my thoughts are not as your thoughts, nor my ways as your ways, saith the Lord. And it is very remarkable, that the greatest part of the precious promises are made to the tried people of God. I pray the God of all grace, to strengthen our faith in his love, in his grace, in his truth, and in his word. O that when we open the Bible, we could always think we are opening, and looking into the very heart of God himself; as a God of love; but we are too apt to read for others, and say, O what sweet things are here for God’s children. Yes, they are for us, and whatever suits us, that is ours. Whatsoever things were written afore time, were written for us, that we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge, and we have fled; trouble, guilt, sin, fear, Satan, world, and conscience has pursued; but as faith gathers strength in the person, and work of Christ, we find they cannot hurt us. Thy vengeance will not strike us here; nor Satan dares our souls invade. Frighten us he may, but reign, he never can any more. No, our hearts are bespoke. Christ is the lover, and faith, prayer, desire, and intreaty has said most sincerely, Take my poor heart! Set me as a seal upon thine heart. Lord, take and make me thine! take me as I am. Amen.
Your’s truly,
Ruhamah.