It is our mercy, the Saviour has borne the curse, and of course took it out of all our sorrows; we have the cup of tribulation, but the curse is gone; Jesus has taken it away, and neither sin nor Satan, the world, or man can bring it back. This was done by the great act of the Saviour’s sorrows, when he entered the garden of Gethsemane, and agonized there, when the sorrows of his sacred soul were past all description; and when he cried out on the cross, It is finished! Yes, our dear Lord knew then the work was done, in his putting away sin. He felt it was done, in his soul, as his God and Father shone again, as well as the sun did at three o’clock the afternoon of his death: it was after noon, indeed; the burning sun of God’s Wrath laid hot upon him, till justice was satisfied, and then the indignation ceased for ever. This was afternoon. I drop this hint only, but oh, that our minds were more affected with his sorrows than they are. Think of these two lines:

Canst thou, ungrateful man, his torments see?
Nor shed one tear for him who shed his blood for thee?

I pray God to grant my dear friend very sweet views of her dear Lord, on the work he has accomplished. May the holy Spirit visit you, and shine upon your spirit, and help you to believe in Jesus, and so to find him precious, that you may know your sins are forgiven you.

Very kind respects to mother; to brother James, your companion, and my friend.

Your’s truly,
Ruhamah.

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.