I hope your faith is fixed upon, and growing into, a most divine acquaintance with the three grand Favors the gospel holds out to you; each adorable Person in the ever adorable Trinity, proclaiming, I am thy God: and this Favor seen through a fourth, even the human nature of Christ; while pardon, justification, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, also shine through the word in your mind: these also producing love, wonder, and praise; and these opposed by the world, the flesh, and the devil, often stirring up fear, rebellion, and ingratitude, till we are favored again with fresh power, fresh views, and fresh strength; encouraging and confirming faith, hope, and patience, and working in prayer, hearing, and reading, till we find it sweet to talk, meditate, and praise. Soon we shall see three wonders; Christ in person, the angels in light, and the glorified Church of the redeemed in full dress. We are in our dishabille at present; the world knoweth us not, because it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we shall be like him, as sure as we love him now. Do tell Mrs. H. this glory is for them that wait for him, them that trust in him, and them who love his various visits; and I am sure this will encourage her. Mark it: those who hope in his mercy; and that mercy is Christ.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER VI.
Valley of Achor, Dec. 19, 1817.
Dear Mr. E.
When the dear apostles of old wrote their epistles to the churches, after having stated the glory and preciousness of Christ, they generally mentioned some name of the adorable Father, as suited to that Church to whom they wrote. When Peter addressed the churches scattered abroad, during the persecution under the pagan emperors, he mentioned the glorious character of God, as the God of all grace—all grace which they could need.—Paul mentions to one church, the God of hope; to another, the God of patience, and the God of all consolation. These titles are exceedingly precious; and as they are suited to the churches of old, they are handed down to us, as they suit us now; and indeed whatever precious character the Lord bears, it is in mercy to us—these are not empty titles, but very important parts of that work, undertaken by the adorable Trinity ere time began. It is surprising grace that God should ever go forth in creature acts of love to us—that he should pass by others—that he should occupy his thoughts about us, who are but mere worms, clods of earth. This is wonderful, that he should love us, though fallen, polluted, distant, and awfully rebellious—that he should ever visit, abide, and dwell with us: this is surprising grace, stupendous mercy indeed, that the Lord should ever send a promise to the heart, and make that promise good to such unbelieving, unworthy beings. These things will, no doubt, astonish the saints of God in glory for ever. O, that they had better effect upon our hearts! and the reason why they have not, is owing to the weakness of our faith; and faith is weakened as the word of God, the throne of God, and the people of God are neglected. As sin is winked at, and lies upon the mind almost unseen, and, of course, unlamented—this weakens precious faith. May the Lord keep up those two useful agents in our souls, Watchful and All-prayer.
With respect to myself, I am kept passive in my Lord’s hands. I sensibly feel my situation; I am certainly very low, but I have many mercies. My faith and confidence increases in the Lord’s designs, at least, in the end designed; and when I am tried enough, I shall come forth as gold. Jesus is a refiner and purifyer; his dear people are compared to gold and silver—if they were only wooden vessels, they would be burnt with the fire of tribulation; but then, though they cannot be consumed, the apostle intimates their works—some hay, straw, and stubble—must be burnt, though himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.
Your’s, truly,
Ruhamah.
LETTER VII.
Achor’s Vale, June 14, 1819.