,transcribed from the #ahbj ,r4 ,thomas edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,public domain book cover ,,the ,,voice ,,of ,,faith ,,in ,,the ,valley of ,achor3 ,,being ,a ,series of ,letters ,,to ,,several ,,friends1 ,,on ,,religious ,,subjects4 99 99 99 99 99 ,by ,ruhamah4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,vol4 ,,ii4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,southwark2 ,printed by ,r4 ,,thomas1 ,red ,lion ,street1 ,borough4 #ahbj4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,letter ,i4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,june #a1 #ahai4 ,dear ,mr4 ,,hairby1 ,i have sent you a little more scribble to read1 which will amuse you for an hour4 ,will you be so kind as to send them all to ,mrs4 ,,harris8 ,you need not seal them1 though ,i hope the ,lord will seal you2 but he has already1 for the spirit in the heart is the king's seal1 saying1 ,this is mine--the ,church is a fountain sealed2 and every sensible token that you have had1 every smile and ray of spiritual joy1 every gracious promise applied to the heart1 and every time love is sensibly felt1 this is the sealing of the ,spirit4 ,christ was sealed by the ,father when he was chosen in eternity1 he was the ,son of ,god2 but perhaps he was not sensibly sealed by the ,holy ,spirit till his baptism1 when1 probably1 both the ,father and the ,holy ,spirit spoke1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,this is my beloved ,son1 with whom ,i am well pleased4 ,so says ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark4 ,god has chosen us in ,christ1 this is the ,father's sealing2 but the ,holy ,spirit in us1 is the ,spirit's seal1 and every gracious look1 intercourse1 and holy frame1 is the sealing work4 ,this is not faith1 but it is the enjoyment of the object we do believe in4 ,faith is a radical principle1 and always abides in the heart3 ,but after ye believed ye were sealed by the ,holy ,spirit of ,promise4 ,this sealing is the sensible enjoyment of the promised good4 ,i beg dear ,mrs4 ,h-- to notice this4 ,a little sacred comfort arising from believing1 hoping1 and trusting in the finished work of ,christ1 is also the sealing work2 and1 perhaps1 in the closing scene of life1 when she draws near to death1 this will be more blessedly enjoyed--,for my people shall be satisfied with my goodness saith the ,lord4 ,your's1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,ii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,august #aj1 #ahai4 ,to ,,the ,,same4 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir1 ,how gracious is the ,lord3 when ,i cannot believe1 still he abideth faithful--,oh6 for an heart to love him1 and to adore him2 but though ,i have often rebelled1 yet1 how gracious and faithful he still continues towards me--surely faithfulness is the girdle of his reins4 ,this is the girdle for faith to lay hold of4 ,my faith has only to do with his promises1 the whens1 the wheres1 and the hows2 this is the ,lord's work1 and not mine4 ,i wish above all things for an increase of faith1 of hope1 and love2 the sweetest is love3 but though ,i have so sweetly felt this lately1 it is now suspended1 yet ,i hope it will return4 ,i am now in my old place1 a poor1 vile1 guilty creature1 at the feet of ,jesus1 pleading his work again2 and looking now1 not at what ,i feel1 but at the satisfaction of ,christ1 with which the ,father is everlastingly well pleased4 ,here ,i rest1 till love is felt again2 my desire is to him1 and to the remembrance of his name4 ,sin works1 ,satan is busy1 but grace still reigns4 ,thus we see that grace has yet the honor of the field4 ,we have not run back1 though we have often been down1 the ,lord raises us up again1 and this motto is our privilege1 8,i shall arise40 ,oh6 what a mercy1 greater is he that is in us1 than he that is in the world4 ,i have cause to be thankful to the ,lord that he has thus far led me2 but the ,devil1 at times1 almost drives me distracted with the carking cares of what will happen to me4 ,oh6 lay my case before ,god1 that ,i may have power to cast this burthen on the ,lord4 ,i wish ,i could get over it2 yet my fears may be a good sign1 better fear than to presume1 or grow careless4 ,love to ,mrs4 ,h4 and ,daughter1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,iii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,jan4 #aj1 #ahai ,to ,,the ,,same4 ,,dear ,,sir1 ,i hope you are all well in health4 ,i have been poorly in body and mind1 but have been supported2 his left hand ,i found was under my head1 but ,i wanted his right hand to embrace me2 the one is daily manifested1 and the other is always wanted1 though but seldom felt4 ,yet he has embraced us1 and ,solomon says1 there is a time to embrace1 and there is a time to refrain from embracing4 ,christ received us to the glory of ,god in the eternal covenant4 ,the ,father draws us to ,christ1 by giving us to feel our sinful state1 our weakness and wants2 and then by setting before us his dear ,son in his ability and willingness to save4 ,in his light we see him1 desire him1 move in heart after him1 and long for a smile of his approbation--to feel it1 and enjoy it1 knowing that eternal life is in it4 ,these workings of the mind are often attended with fears1 bondage1 doubts1 and misgivings1 and these rise as hope gets down2 but as faith gathers strength1 so we rise above these doubts4 ,this has been my experience for many years1 and ,i have now a good opportunity of watching it4 ,some1 indeed1 get to land upon the broad planks of the promises1 and sensible manifestations of divine love2 but myself1 and many more1 will arrive as safe home1 only by getting hold of a few scattered truths1 which we love and embrace4 ,receive the truth1 and the truth shall make you free4 ,and one truth is--,i have blotted out as a thick cloud thy sins4--,we are all much tried1 but it is our appointed lot--discouraged because of the way4 ,and are these the blessings we expect8 ,is this the lot of ,god's elect8 ,yes2 this lot is cast into the lap1 but the whole disposing is of the ,lord4--,let this note be read to dear ,mrs4 ,h4 ,grace be with you all4 ,so prays1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,iv4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,may #ba1 #ahai4 ,to ,,the ,,same4 ,,dear ,,sir1 ,when you have read these letters1 be so kind as to send one to the ,post ,office1 and the other1 if you could call on ,mrs4 ,l--1 she would take it kind1 as she is indisposed4 ,she was confined many weeks1 and no one in the ,church knew it1 or else they would have visited her4 ,i wish ,i was able1 but even then ,i should feel no desire1 except the ,lord gave it me4 ,when we are in bondage of spirit1 the heart is contracted1 and we can feel for no one but ourselves2 but when love operates1 and keeps the heart open1 we can then sympathize with the ,lord's afflicted ones2 our hearts are enlarged to them1 to their ,lord1 and to the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,as these sweet sensations of love are felt1 we melt and mourn4 ,these are the sweetest moments of my life1 and many such ,i have had these three weeks past4 ,these cause me songs in the house of my pilgrimage1 yet ,i cannot sing1 ,i can only look on1 and wonder1 while the ,angel does marvellously before me4 ,i am but low in body1 and a sweet lowness of mind1 and here ,i am most safe3 ,i beg for the increase of it1 but ,i am fearful of losing it1 knowing that the ,son of ,man is at times taken away3 then do we fast in those days4 ,but we are getting home--happy meeting by and by-- ,there may ,i meet my sincere friends1 ,amidst the ransom'd throng2 ,where love and friendship have no end1 ,and you will join the song4 ,love to ,mrs4 ,h4 and ,children--excuse haste4 ,your's1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,v4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,april #ab1 #ahai4 ,to the ,,same4 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir1 ,i hope your faith is fixed upon1 and growing into1 a most divine acquaintance with the three grand ,favors the gospel holds out to you2 each adorable ,person in the ever adorable ,trinity1 proclaiming1 ,i am thy ,god3 and this ,favor seen through a fourth1 even the human nature of ,christ2 while pardon1 justification1 and the gift of the ,holy ,spirit1 also shine through the word in your mind3 these also producing love1 wonder1 and praise2 and these opposed by the world1 the flesh1 and the devil1 often stirring up fear1 rebellion1 and ingratitude1 till we are favored again with fresh power1 fresh views1 and fresh strength2 encouraging and confirming faith1 hope1 and patience1 and working in prayer1 hearing1 and reading1 till we find it sweet to talk1 meditate1 and praise4 ,soon we shall see three wonders2 ,christ in person1 the angels in light1 and the glorified ,church of the redeemed in full dress4 ,we are in our dishabille at present2 the world knoweth us not1 because it doth not yet appear what we shall be2 but we shall be like him1 as sure as we love him now4 ,do tell ,mrs4 ,h4 this glory is for them that wait for him1 them that trust in him1 and them who love his various visits2 and ,i am sure this will encourage her4 ,mark it3 those who hope in his mercy2 and that mercy is ,christ4 ,your's1 truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,vi4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,dec4 #ai1 #ahag4 ,dear ,mr4 ,e4 ,when the dear apostles of old wrote their epistles to the churches1 after having stated the glory and preciousness of ,christ1 they generally mentioned some name of the adorable ,father1 as suited to that ,church to whom they wrote4 ,when ,peter addressed the churches scattered abroad1 during the persecution under the pagan emperors1 he mentioned the glorious character of ,god1 as the ,god of all grace--all grace which they could need4--,paul mentions to one church1 the ,god of hope2 to another1 the ,god of patience1 and the ,god of all consolation4 ,these titles are exceedingly precious2 and as they are suited to the churches of old1 they are handed down to us1 as they suit us now2 and indeed whatever precious character the ,lord bears1 it is in mercy to us--these are not empty titles1 but very important parts of that work1 undertaken by the adorable ,trinity ere time began4 ,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 us1 who are but mere worms1 clods of earth4 ,this is wonderful1 that he should love us1 though fallen1 polluted1 distant1 and awfully rebellious--that he should ever visit1 abide1 and dwell with us3 this is surprising grace1 stupendous mercy indeed1 that the ,lord should ever send a promise to the heart1 and make that promise good to such unbelieving1 unworthy beings4 ,these things will1 no doubt1 astonish the saints of ,god in glory for ever4 ,o1 that they had better effect upon our hearts6 and the reason why they have not1 is owing to the weakness of our faith2 and faith is weakened as the word of ,god1 the throne of ,god1 and the people of ,god are neglected4 ,as sin is winked at1 and lies upon the mind almost unseen1 and1 of course1 unlamented--this weakens precious faith4 ,may the ,lord keep up those two useful agents in our souls1 ,watchful and ,all-prayer4 ,with respect to myself1 ,i am kept passive in my ,lord's hands4 ,i sensibly feel my situation2 ,i am certainly very low1 but ,i have many mercies4 ,my faith and confidence increases in the ,lord's designs1 at least1 in the end designed2 and when ,i am tried enough1 ,i shall come forth as gold4 ,jesus is a refiner and purifyer2 his dear people are compared to gold and silver--if they were only wooden vessels1 they would be burnt with the fire of tribulation2 but then1 though they cannot be consumed1 the apostle intimates their works--some hay1 straw1 and stubble--must be burnt1 though himself shall be saved1 yet so as by fire4 ,your's1 truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,vii4 ,achor's ,vale1 ,june #ad1 #ahai4 ,mrs4 ,e4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,i trust you are better in health than you was2 ,i feel very anxious about you both2 ,i pray ,god to spare you1 to see his good hand of grace toward me2 and that he has heard many prayers on my behalf1 although he has not heard them in the way ,i requested2 but though the ,lord often changes his promise1 yet1 he never breaks his promise4 ,he often changes the promise of a temporal blessing into a spiritual good2 but he never changes his mind nor falsifies his word--he is the only faithful ,friend on whom we can rely2 all others are like glasses1 they are to be used1 but no weight to be put upon them4 ,hence the command1 ,trust ye not in a friend2 lean not too heavy1 nor build upon glass4 ,this blessing is the gift of ,god1 it is grace given to the friend2 and it is worthy of observation1 that a disposition to act friendly1 is from ,god1 and the befriended should look to ,jesus through the friend1 as ,christ shines through them4 ,and this is evidenced by the effects produced1 because it draws up the mind to the ,saviour in a way of gratitude and wonder1 love and praise4 ,i will magnify the ,lord with a song4 ,the shall please the ,lord better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs4 ,this is the way the ,lord deals1 at times1 with me2 when particularly sensible of sin1 ,i confess1 supplicate1 plead1 and submit2 if grief overflow1 ,i pray1 read much1 and think2 and when ,i am favored with the least glimpse of his face1 or a sensation of his love1 or a little life in my spirit1 then ,i praise1 love1 adore1 and offer up the sacrifice of thanksgiving--this is called the calves of the lips4 ,i have not written my thoughts on the subject we last discoursed on1 but shall by and by1 ,god willing4 ,i have been much grieved lately that ,mr4 -- has made use of such warm expressions in the pulpit1 concerning the decrees of ,god4 ,what he has asserted are undoubted truths1 but ,i object to the manner in which they are stated4 ,i have no objection to the preaching these awful and sublime subjects1 but it requires a man of some wisdom to state them properly1 or else the subject may be rendered disgustful1 even to believers themselves4 ,god has chosen his people in ,christ before the world began3 this is a truth worthy of our deepest regard2 that the ,lord should cause millions and millions of beings1 angels and men1 to rise in his infinite mind1 and out of them to select a people for himself1 to the glory of his own name1 and1 as a ,sovereign1 to display upon them the riches of his grace--this was the favour shewed them1 and this favour is called grace1 electing sovereign grace1 because he passed the rest by1 he did not confer on them this favour4 ,no reason can be assigned for this1 but his own sovereign good-will4 ,the rest he passed by2 he did not choose them to damn them1 nor predestinate them to be damned1 nor make them on purpose to damn them2 that was not the business2 he passed them by in reference to his act1 but he chose the rest1 both angels and men1 in the dear ,covenant ,head1 and fixed them1 standing most secure in ,christ1 before they fell4 ,those whom the ,lord passed by1 stood in ,adam only2 here they sinned1 fell1 and became guilty3 as they grow up1 they evidence ,god has passed them by1 as they live and die regardless of ,god1 ignorant of the ,saviour1 and heart enemies to him2 but as ,god did not choose the elect for any foreseen good in them1 or done by them1 so neither did he pass by the rest because they would be so vile1 but he chose the one in the riches of his grace1 and passed by the other in his divine sovereignty4 ,mark--he does not damn them because he is a ,sovereign1 and has a right to do it2 ,no1 he only passed by them as a ,sovereign1 and he punishes them because they hate him1 and have so awfully signed against him1 so that our ,god is holy1 gracious1 sovereign1 and just4 ,i thought it acceptable to you1 to drop you this line1 to state the simple truth as it is in scripture2 a subject that puzzled me for many years1 and which has still a mystery in it that we cannot comprehend2 yet there is enough revealed to faith to receive1 admire1 and adore4 ,and as to the damnation of infants1 which ,mr4 -- advanced last ,sunday1 the scriptures are silent about it2 nor do ,i think it forms any part of the gospel which ,jesus and ,paul preached4 ,we have nothing to do with it4 ,where the bible has no mouth1 we ought to have no ears4 ,i am of opinion that children are saved1 but ,i have no positive scripture for it--as the glories of heaven are rather described by negatives1 what they are not1 so the salvation of children is by a negative also1 where they are not2 for in the account of those that are lost1 and in hell now1 and will be punished there1 we read nothing of children4 ,our dear friend ,mr4 ,fosset1 wishes me to write on these subjects1 at the next church meeting1 to set this matter at rest a little1 by explaining the subject in my simple1 humble manner4 ,what a mercy the ,lord has not passed us by1 as he might have done2 and as an evidence he loves us1 he has given us some taste of that love1 and created his fear in our hearts4 ,your's ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,viii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,sept4 #ae1 #ahah4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,mr4 ,c4 ,i thank you kindly for the loan of books4 ,i return you the ,pamphlet written by ,mr4 ,gadsby4 ,i quite agree with him in his views of the ,moral ,law1 which is commonly termed so1 but which the ,apostle stiles spiritual4 ,i consider the ,gospel of the grace of ,god1 the ,father's will to us1 in ,christ ,jesus1 containing ,promises1 ,declarations of ,mercy1 ,imitations1 ,precepts1 and ,exhortations1 to be the only1 and all-sufficient ,rule of a ,christian4 ,these are not in opposition to the holy ,law of ,god1 but they far excel it in glory1 and as many as walk according to this ,rule1 peace be on them4 ,christ is our ,king and our ,law-giver1 he has fulfilled the ,law for his ,church1 brought in an everlasting righteousness for our justification2 he has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself1 and he lives a life of mediation for all who come to ,god through him4 ,the ,holy ,spirit illuminates the mind2 reveals pardon to the conscience2 and sheds abroad the love of ,god in the heart1 plants his fear in the soul1 and enables us to take the will of ,god for our ,rule1 as it is expressed in the ,gospel4--,this is our rule of walk1 conduct1 and conversation--the ,lord help us to walk in this light1 as ,god is in the light4 ,but ,i think it is cruel for any ,preacher or ,author1 who professes to be a leader of ,god's people1 to send them to the ,law1 in any sense whatever4 ,every worldling and proud ,pharisee should be sent there1 till they are taught their need of ,christ4 ,but an humble1 regenerate person1 should always be directed to the ,lord ,jesus1 to the throne of grace1 and to the glorious ,gospel of grace4 ,none but worldly ,wisemen will ever direct either a burthened ,pilgrim1 or a consistent believer1 to the ,law4 ,john ,bunyan met with such a director1 but what his feelings were he tells you3 ,first1 he forsook the advice3 of the ,gospel ,minister1 ,evangelist1 who gave him this direction1 ,look unto ,jesus4 ,secondly1 ,he tried to raise a prejudice in his mind against the ,ministers who preach free grace4 ,thirdly1 ,he directed him to go by the high hill that he pointed to4 ,this is the way that seemeth right to a man1 but it is falling from grace3 the spirit of bondage began to work on his mind2 his fears of the curse of this broken ,covenant increased2 his guilt was deeper felt1 because he was out of the way4 ,a sense of ,god's anger flashed on his spirit1 and the dread of damnation overcame him4 ,he quaked for fear4 ,this is coming to ,mount ,sinai indeed1 and this is all the ,law can do1 viz4 ,convince and condemn--and these feelings1 more or less1 attend those who are seeking to the ,law for life1 hope1 peace1 and salvation2 or that cleave to it in any sense whatever3 for what things soever the law saith1 it saith to them that are under it1 whether they are in a profession or out of it2 and as many as are of the works of the law1 are under the curse of it--but we are redeemed from that broken covenant1 that we should serve the ,lord ,jesus in the newness of the spirit1 and not in the oldness of the letter4 ,but do read what ,evangelist says of such ,law ,preachers1 and ,directors1 in his conversation with the ,pilgrim1 when he met him near ,mr4 ,legality's ,house4 ,may you and ,i walk in ,christ1 die to sin1 and live more to ,god4--,kind respects to ,mrs4 ,c4 and ,brother4 ,your's1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,ix4 ,achor's ,vale1 ,may #f1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,miss ,,braes1 ,history relates a poor aged man1 who had once been serviceable to his country1 and was condemned by a ,tyrant to be starved to death in prison4 ,all were astonished that he did not die1 seeing no food was brought to him2 but it was found afterwards that his married daughter visited him twice a day1 and gave him suck from her own breast4 ,this is an instance of filial affection4 ,you have acted almost as kind1 in its degree1 to me2 and with your dear aunt1 you have often soothed my sorrows with the milk of human kindness4 ,may my ,lord reward it another day4 ,you have heard my poor feeble sermons with pleasure1 especially when ,i have been enabled to point out the beauties1 and glories of the ,friend of guilty man4 ,i hope ,i am only learning better how to extol and magnify the grace1 the love1 the person1 and work of him1 who1 to a grace-taught eye1 is fairer than the children of men4 ,i have1 indeed1 fell into a place where two seas meet--the malice of ,satan and the power of man2 yet1 through grace1 and when it is well with me1 ,i have this confidence1 ,i shall arise2 but how1 and when1 ,i leave it with ,god4 ,i am at times troubled about it1 but at other times ,i can cast that burden on the ,lord4 ,i wish it laid in my power to write something to you of the dear ,saviour1 that would lead you to admire and adore him4 ,i have said a little about him1 but1 alas1 it was little indeed4 ,he is the bright ,sun in the firmament of heaven1 all the millions of angels and spirits of just men who are now in glory1 look upon him with wonder and delight2 and while they gaze1 he fills them with joy1 with peace1 with love1 and with the most solid satisfaction4 ,they wondered at his love when on earth1 that he should ever bleed and agonize1 sigh and die for them2 but1 what must they think now they see him in his full glory8 ,and now they range the heavenly plains1 ,and sing his love in sweetest strains2 ,or1 overwhelm'd with rapture sweet1 ,sink down1 adoring at his feet4 ,because he is so glorious1 so beautiful1 so lovely1 and so kind4 ,he saw what poor guilty creatures we should be1 condemned to eternal misery and woe4 ,he knew we could not help ourselves out of this state4 ,he knew ,god was just in condemning us1 and he knew that ,god1 as an unchangeable ,being1 could not alter his oath1 ,as ,i live1 the soul that sinneth shall die6 ,we had broken his ,law2 we were born in sin2 we went astray from infancy1 and must have strayed into everlasting darkness1 but1 ,with pitying eye the ,prince of ,peace1 ,beheld our helpless grief4 ,he took our nature1 engaged to fulfil the ,law we had broken1 and pay the dreadful debt of suffering4 ,this he did heartily for us1 and is now in glory1 pleading the virtue of that work1 and receiving all that come to ,god by him4 ,sing1 oh ye heavens1 ,jesus hath done it1 and done it1 ,i trust1 for my dear young ,friend1 to whom ,i write with pleasure4 ,need ,i say to you that you stand in need of this ,saviour8 ,i hope you are in a little measure convinced of it1 and at times1 when no eye can see you but the ,saviour's1 you send up many an humble wish1 fervent desires1 and earnest breathings1 that the ever-blessed ,spirit would teach you ,christ1 and shew you that your sins are pardoned1 that your interest is sure1 and that the dear ,lord thought upon you when he engaged to die for sinners--that he thought upon you when he entered into the garden of sorrow1 and when he said1 ,it is finished6 ,do often1 secretly lift up your heart to him1 saying1 ,lord shew me that thou lovest me4 ,this is done by the ,spirit and by the ,word4 ,may he be very precious to you2 and do remember he hath said1 ,they that seek me shall find me4 ,blessed is she that believeth1 for there shall be a performance of those things that are told her from the ,lord4 ,and now do accept my sincerest thanks for your affectionate kindness4 ,your's1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,x4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,may #af1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,mrs4 ,,harris1 ,i am sorry to hear of your indisposition1 but hope also to hear soon of your recovery4 ,i take this opportunity of acknowledging how much ,i feel indebted to you for your long concern for my best interest1 and your grief for my trials2 but ,i think ,god has given you many tokens of my future good1 by many gracious impressions on your mind in your sleeping hours1 and ,i trust we shall not be mistaken in them1 although we are apt to construe such impressions to mere temporal advantages1 just as the ,apostles did of our dear ,lord's kingdom and government2 they all thought he was come to set up a temporal kingdom1 but when they were filled with the ,holy ,spirit they understood the subject better4 ,this world is not our rest1 we are not born merely to pass our lives in this1 but to be looking out for a better and more enduring home3 yet1 alas1 how prone are we to fix our tents here1 in this world of uncertainty and trouble4 ,i trust my dear friend has a little hope of a better world4 ,you have often heard of an eternal glory1 and ,i am sure it will be a heaven worth dying for4 ,many of the people of the world rush into wars and bloodshed1 the ruins of countries and the distress of nations1 merely to get a great name1 and that it might be said they died honorably in the field of battle4 ,poor deluded creatures1 this was not worth dying for2 honour and fame is but a noise1 a vapour1 a puff1 and a breath4 ,but we want to die to obtain a glorious eternity1 to see the dear ,saviour1 to be with him1 and to be like him2 to see him with our enlightened understandings1 till the last trumpet shall sound1 and our bodies be raised from the dead1 strong1 beautiful1 and glorious1 and the soul and body meet again with rapture1 to be filled with the joy of the ,lord1 to hear the welcome sentence of the dear ,redeemer1 and see him smile on us1 creating our heaven1 and delighting us with his love2 opening our minds to receive the knowledge of ,god in his glorious persons1 the greatness of his grace1 the displays of his wisdom and power--his truth1 condescension1 faithfulness1 and mercy in our eternal salvation4 ,i trust my dear kind ,friend can say she humbly desires only ,christ and an interest in him1 to know that her sins are pardoned by him1 and that she lives in the tenderest affections of his heart4 ,the scriptures declare that you do live there1 but you want to feel it for yourself2 yet1 ,i hope you can say1 from what little you do know1 you depend upon ,christ as ,god-,man and ,mediator1 upon his most blessed work1 as your acceptance with the ,father1 only you want the gracious ,holy ,spirit to shew you so much of ,christ as to cause you to love him above all things1 and to give you the clearest assurance of his love to you4 ,do take notice4 ,this little knowledge you have of him1 and this desire after him1 this humble dependence upon him1 and renouncing all others1 is really believing in him4 ,may the ,lord bless thee and keep thee1 be your leader1 guide1 and comfort4 ,kind love to your ,niece1 and all enquiring friends and acquaintance4--,i must conclude this letter1 with some ,remarks ,i have met with on the very great difference between an ,acquaintance and a ,friend4 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,acquaintance and ,,friends ,,distinct ,,characters4 ,,fallen man an erring creature is1 ,and1 bent on erring1 errs in this3 ,he forms connections without end1 ,and calls each intimate a ,friend4 ,but 'twixt the two a difference lies1 ,and1 oh6 how great is our surprize-- ,to view the characters more near1 ,how vast me difference does appear4 ,acquaintance cries1 to ease my woe1 ,be warm'd1 be fill'd--and off they go4 ,my ,friend presents the thing ,i need1 ,the one's in word1 the other deed4 ,while pleasing plenty crowns my cup1 ,acquaintance springs like mushrooms up2 ,but woeful want creeps forth to light1 ,and each betakes himself to flight4 ,yet sometimes one of human kind4 ,in this dull day remains behind2 ,and 'tis my ,friend1 for only he ,cares for the child of misery4 ,acquaintance see me go astray3 ,but he must look to that they say4 ,my ,friend seeks out my devious track1 ,o'ertakes me1 and conducts me back4 ,if sick1 or into prison thrown1 ,my ,friend still makes my case his own1 ,and in my chamber or my cell ,esteems it his delight to dwell4 ,the utmost my ,acquaintance do1 ,while these great deeps ,i'm passing through1 ,is1 squeeze this prayer out now and then-- ,heav'n send him safely out again4 ,acquaintance are but sons of earth2 ,they relish well the house of mirth1 ,but in the mourner's dwelling place ',tis real pain to shew his face4 ,here mark my ,friend1 he in the hour ,of keen temptation's darkness power1 ,stands by me all the season long1 ,with a sweet promise on his tongue4 ,he bears my company till death1 ,whilst on my very latest breath2 ,and in his last kind act of love1 ,points to my ,father's house above4 ,then while ,i sojourn here below1 ,let ,friend include all names ,i know2 ,and be it fellow-creature's pride ,to know no other name beside4--,amen4 ,,letter ,,xi4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,feb4 #be1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,i4 ,r4 ,,esq4 ,i am ashamed ,i have been so dilatory in answering your kind letter of the #ajth instant4 ,i read it with most exquisite delight4 ,i intended a very long epistle for you1 but ,i must still remain that in your debt1 which ,i will faithfully pay the earliest opportunity4 ,yesterday ,i was just sitting down to drop you a line1 but was suddenly surprized to hear of your indisposition4 ,i fear your daily vexations have hurt your nervous system1 and distressed your mind2 nor have you much power to bear them--we all want strength to endure tribulation4 ,we want power to stand in the evil day1 that we may not fall before it4 ,i have often been pleased1 edified1 and comforted with that very precious ,promise1 xliii4 ,isa4 8,when thou passest through the fire1 thou shalt not be burned2 when thou passest through the waters1 they shall not overflow thee1 for ,i am with thee40 ,i trust this promise will be fulfilled in our experience till death1 and in death4 ,i feel anxious about your health of body4 ,i judge your feelings4 ,i know your state of mind4 ,we need ,divine keeping in every thing we do1 and in every step we take4 ,hence1 ,david prayed3 ,preserve me1 ,o ,god1 for in thee do ,i put my trust4 ,leave me not destitute4 ,does not this prayer suit you well8 it does me4 ,yet ,i feel happy the ,lord is leading you to see the vanity of all things below the stars2 the emptiness of the creature1 the sin of your nature1 in hewing out cisterns1 yea1 broken cisterns1 that can hold1 retain1 no water4 ,no sooner are creature comforts in1 but they run out again4 ,yet1 alas1 how awful for mankind to forsake the living fountain which never will be exhausted1 or run dry6 ,the adorable ,trinity in unity1 is that fountain1 each glorious person is so represented1 because they are equal in power1 majesty1 glory1 and goodness4 ,god is love1 and this glorious ,god-head includes the three ,holy ,ones4 ,what a mercy for us1 they divinely condescended to enter into covenant about us1 such hell-deserving sinners as we are1 and in the prospect of our miseries1 made ample provision for us1 that we might be infinite gainers by the fall1 and ,god for ever glorified in that great business of redemption and grace4--,in this glorious covenant our sins were made over to ,christ1 and his righteousness made over to us4 ,this was secured by the promise1 and the oath of ,god2 confirmed by the blood of the dear ,saviour2 made known in the ,gospel1 and brought to the faith of an humble believer4 ,after the sense and assurance of this blessing1 we being first convinced of sin1 and fearing ,god's wrath1 the day of death1 the last judgment and eternity1 we doubt1 fear1 pray1 hope1 aspire1 desire1 long1 and then grow careless1 lukewarm1 indifferent1 dead1 till guilt is felt again1 or trouble arises1 or affliction comes on2 then we get alarmed1 quickened1 and anxious again to read our title clear1 to see the interest ,christ has in us1 and the interest we have in him2 to know that our sins are forgiven us1 that ,god is at peace with us1 that the law is magnified1 sin put away1 a door open in heaven that no sin in future can shut2 death left stingless1 judgment not at all dreaded1 because we shall see him whom we adore1 admire1 and love2 we shall be made like him1 we shall get rid of sin4 ,sin1 our worst enemy before1 ,shall vex our eyes and souls no more2 ,but every power find sweet employ ,in ,christ's eternal world of joy4 ,i beg the ,lord1 the ,holy ,spirit1 to give you supernatural ideas of ,christ1 so as to endear him to your heart1 and make you long to tell of his name and fame2 to make you wise2 to be as wise as ,paul1 and as eloquent as ,apollos2 that you might point forth the ,divine excellencies of ,jesus to poor sinners4 ,i trust your life will be spared for this purpose1 it is the only thing worth living for4 ,christ is the darling of the ,father1 and the grand object of the ,spirit's glorification3 angels adore him1 saints admire him1 and in our poor feeble way1 oh that we could love him with every power and passion1 with every member and faculty of body1 soul and spirit4 ,may this instrument of ten strings sweetly sound his dear fame4 ,the most painful lesson we have to learn1 is the evil of our hearts1 the malice of the devil1 the weakness of our own arm1 and our utter impossibility to do any one good thing without ,christ3 separated from him1 we can do nothing1 no more than a dead branch can grow1 that is cut off and thrown aside4 ,the nature1 extent1 and spirituality of the law1 and our condemnation by it1 the person1 the glory1 and work of ,christ1 as the head of the church1 and the ,saviour of the body4 ,this is the main subject1 and the various displays of the offices of ,god1 the ,holy ,spirit1 as the glorifier of ,christ4 ,this subject is the ,gospel itself1 and the longer ,i live1 the more blessed ,i see this truth4 ,the ,son of man is come to save that which was lost4 ,this is an encouragement to my soul1 and the very basis of my hope4 ,here alone is the way of access to ,god1 to the ,throne1 and to ,heaven4 ,may the ,spirit sanctify1 and bless you2 bear testimony with your spirit1 that you are a child of ,god4 ,this will be spiritual health in bodily sickness2 this will light life in death1 and gild the gloomy horrors of the tomb1 as the celebrated ,dr4 ,young says1 and with which ,i conclude my epistle4 ,religion6 thou the soul of happiness1 ,and1 groaning ,calvary1 of thee3 there shine ,the noblest truths3 there strongest motives sting3 ,there sacred violence assaults the soul2 ,there nothing but compulsion is forborne4 ,can love allure us8 or can terror awe8 ,he weeps6--the falling drop puts out the sun4 ,he sigh6--the sigh earth's deep foundation shakes4 ,if in his love so terrible1 what then ,his wrath inflam'd8 ,his tenderness on fire8 ,like soft1 smooth oil1 out-blazing other fires8 ,pray do let me know how you are in health as soon as you can4--,kind love to ,mrs4 ,r4 wishing you a healthy body and a prosperous soul4 ,i remain1 ,dear friend1 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,march #af1 #ahai4 ,to ,i4 ,r4 ,,esq4 ,,my ,,dear ,,sir1 ,i am truly happy to hear that the ,lord has restored you again in some measure to health4 ,i was much affected at the news of your sudden indisposition1 and knew not what was the will of ,god concerning you1 but through mercy1 ,i trust your spared life is for the glory of ,god1 and will be a means of your increasing in knowledge1 that your mind may be better prepared for the special ,service of ,god1 and that you may be ready to take your flight as soon as the ,lord1 the ,master cometh and calleth for you4 ,every attack of the constitution is a messenger sent to let us know our frailty3 these tabernacles of flesh are but weak1 and hang on a precarious thread2 our bones are the stakes1 the cords are the sinews1 and the breath is the main pillar4 ,great ,god1 on what a slender thread hangs everlasting things2 the eternal state of all the dead hangs on such feeble strings4 ,god has laid an everlasting foundation for his dear people in the everlasting covenant2 the effect of his everlasting love1 the profound depth of his infinite wisdom1 which has secured an everlasting salvation1 by an everlasting righteousness1 which will be to the everlasting praise of ,jehovah1 and to the everlasting joy of his dear church4 ,then at his throne our crowns we'll cast1 ,and shout1 ,i am saved1 ,i am saved at last6 ,your indisposition1 and indeed every other calamity is as that messenger of whom the prophet ,elisha gave orders to notice1 ,look1 as when the messenger cometh1 hold him fast1 and shut to the door1 is not the sound of his master's feet behind8 ,so may we detain every message of sorrow4 ,ask the question1 ,why is this sent me8 what does he say from his master8 ,but why ask this8 the sound of ,christ is heard1 ,behold1 ,i come quickly4 ,our deep concern of soul1 and every conviction of sin1 every fear of death1 judgment1 and eternity should be entertained1 thought over1 and made use of1 to go to ,god with1 and entreat the manifestation of pardoning love and mercy4 ,hence1 he has promised to be found of them that seek him1 to be found as a ,god in ,christ1 in whom all fulness dwells1 and having all the blessings of an everlasting covenant to bestow upon the heirs of promise4 ,he giveth to them just as they need2 but these blessings are only given to the poor and helpless1 the lost1 the guilty1 and the vile1 and till this is the case with us1 we can never be in earnest about ,christ1 and his ,salvation4 ,wretches that feel what help they need1 will bless the helping hand2 and till the ,saviour puts forth his power1 we can do no more than the mariners did with ,jonah aboard2 the men rowed hard to bring it to land1 but the sea wrought1 and was tempestuous against them4 ,christ is the only one who can still the tempest of a distressed mind1 and bring us on our knees1 exclaiming1 ,what manner of man is this1 that even the winds and sea obey him4 ,this is a comfort to me in my most dreary prospects4 ,i remain yours1 ,with respect1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xiii4 ,london1 ,september #aj1 #ahbj4 ,,my ,,much ,,beloved ,,friend1 ,i4 ,r4 ,,esq4 ,mrs4 ,p4 did me the honor to call on me last night with the very painful news of the departure of your dear ,john4 ,a variety of serious ideas flowed into my mind upon hearing of your affecting and serious loss4 ,i knew how much you loved him1 how dear he was to you both2 ,i knew how very engaging he had become2 ,i considered your feelings on the occasion1 nor was ,i without my fears1 lest you should reflect on yourselves in taking him so long a journey4 ,i have also pictured to myself your absence from the little pious society of friends amongst us1 your large and venerable house4 ,recent death of an aged parent1 with none but strangers around you1 and a variety of circumstances beside2 these1 yes1 these things dwell on my mind1 and have led me to trouble you with a line on the sad occasion4 ,i hope an apology for intrusion is needless4 ,i write not to inform my beloved friends1 but only to remind them1 that every event is absolutely decreed by a ,god of infinite wisdom2 not a stroke of affliction1 nor a shaft of death can possibly touch1 but by ,divine appointment4 ,the nature1 the kind1 the time1 the age1 the place were all arranged in the unerring purposes of ,god4 ,it was decreed the dear dear boy should be taken to ,b4 ,hall1 there the ,lord would send for him4 ,he has sent for his own3 the ,lord had the greatest right to him1 he was1 indeed1 lent to his affectionate parents1 but he is demanded back again2 he was the object of his heavenly father's love1 he was the property of ,jesus1 and he must be brought home to his house1 by his holy angels4 ,death indeed is very terrible to our natures1 it takes away the darlings of our hearts1 and the desire of our eyes1 but it has transmitted yours to the enjoyment of ,god in human nature3 this is the accomplishment of ,god's design in this providence1 and with holy joy you will one day say1 ,he has done all things well4 ,the dear boy1 like ,abraham in his conversion1 has left his native country1 and gone into the eternal inheritance1 which ,god has prepared for him1 and which he never saw or sought before4 ,like ,jacob1 he at the command of his ,god1 has returned to his father's house1 and his own spiritual and angelic kindred3 like the ,israelites1 though his journey was short1 ,god opened a passage through the garden of death3 his little journey is ended1 he sets in peace1 it is well4 ,farewell1 my dear-little fellow1 ,i shall kiss thy little lips or press thy little cheeks no more6 no1 no1 the painful task is assigned to thy dear parents1 to see thee taken from their arms1 and from their house1 to the solemn tomb1 the silent1 the dark1 the cold1 the dreary receptacle for suffering mortality4 ,happy voyager1 how short thy passage on the sea of this tribulated world2 how short thy stay1 how swift thy flight2 but what thy surprize to enter into another state of love1 holiness1 joy1 and glory2 every little power expanded1 and the soul plunged in a moment into a sea of bliss3 what a glorious transition1 what a surprize1 and perhaps the first object it saw1 was its little sister at the portals of bliss1 waiting to welcome him home1 although unknown before1 yet now known to each other for ever4 ,methinks ,i see them meet and clasp each other with holy innocent joy1 and if a thought could be indulged1 or received about their beloved parents3 surely they converse together about you3 but hark1 they speak to you6 they bid you weep not2 7if ye loved us ye would rejoice we are gone to our ,father1 and the world seeth us no more4 ,hallelujah47 ,i hope dear ,mrs4 ,r4 will be most divinely supported under this bereavement4 ,i trust the dear little one in ,london will be restored to be a comfort1 but dear ,john is this moment fresh in my mind4 ,i judge your feelings2 ,i am sorry you are so far distant from us4 ,i have the departure of my own beloved daughter still in mind1 the thought often occurs3 well1 let us look up1 let us take courage1 we shall bless ,god for their loss another day2 we are left to endure many a conflict1 many a trial1 many a grief1 but the soft hand of ,jesus has wiped off the tears from his little face3 it is ours to suffer toil and grief1 till death transmits us1 burdened and tired1 grieved1 and tried1 to that glory which never fades away2 it is well for us that the dear ,redeemer has been through the territories of death and the grave1 that he has taken the sting of the one1 and overcome the other for us4 ,may his love solace your mind2 may his grace reign in your hearts2 may his power protect you1 and his very gracious presence cheer your souls2 the separation is painful1 but it is short4 ,our days fly swiftly away1 the night of death will come on2 it may not be very distant1 but interested in ,jesus1 pardoned and justified1 influenced1 and led by his spirit1 we shall meet in a brighter1 and better abode4 ,god bless you both together with his supporting hand4 ,so prays your sympathizing friend1 and best wisher in ,christ4 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xiv4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,august #ac1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,,mrs4 ,m4 ,i trust you are as well in mind and body as you expect to be in a time state4 ,i have cause to bless ,god for all ,i have experienced1 even for the bitter path of sorrow4 ,but ,i have had much of the ,lord's goodness pass before me1 and he has manifested his dear name to me1 as the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 gracious and merciful1 abundant in goodness1 in mercy1 and truth2 and though he can by no means 7of a sinner's devising7 clear the guilty1 yet he has devised a plan1 in infinite wisdom1 whereby he can be just1 and yet the justifier of the ungodly4 ,and it is our mercy that we are brought from all confidence in the flesh1 while a daily acquaintance with the depravity of our hearts1 keeps us from trusting in self2 the troubles of life keep us from making up our happiness in the world1 and the hypocrisy of professors1 with the weakness of ,god's own children1 keeps us from looking to1 and idolizing the creature2 thus we tread the same path which the pious prophet ,micah did1 when he wrote his seventh chapter1 and came to this blessed conclusion1 ,therefore will ,i look to the ,lord3 this is all that the blessed spirit aims at in bringing us low in soul1 in the church1 and in the world4 ,my time flies fast2 ,i dread to enter into the field of battle again4 ,i am weaker in myself than ever ,i was1 but perhaps the power of ,christ will the more sensibly rest upon me4 ,i hope to return with the olive branch of peace1 while our adorable ,noah opens the window1 and puts forth his hand to receive me into the ark4 ,i should like to come to the ,lord's family loaded2 ,i know they are a needy people1 and the ,lord has provided many things for them3 he keeps a good table1 though the family have not always an appetite to enjoy the rich provisions of his house2 but the ever-kind householder has provisions suited to every one4 ,i hope1 therefore1 to bring with me a little of the sincere milk of the word1 for the children1 that they may grow thereby1 and some solid meat for those who are strong3 the fatted calf1 the roasted paschal lamb1 without a bitten herb2 an olive berry1 from the uppermost bough2 three loaves1 also some unleavened bread1 and a cake1 baked under the tree4 ,some butter and neat honey from the rock1 with the honey comb4 ,some broiled fish1 also out of the sea of ,tiberias2 and as we may want a desert also1 ,i hope to bring some apples1 some nuts1 and almonds2 a bunch of figs1 to take inwardly1 or to make a plaister of1 to lay on some sore place4 ,some good grapes of ,eshcol1 and pomegranates1 and mandrakes2 also a bottle of new wine1 well refined4 ,some rock water1 clear as chrystal1 from the well of ,bethlehem2 this will be very cheering to some of the family4 ,i hope also to bring some very beautiful flowers2 a lovely rose1 without a thorn2 a remarkable lily1 in full bloom1 which grows in certain vallies1 and many other lovely flowers2 some only in bud1 and some in full blossom3 but ,i have not mentioned one-half the good things in our master's house4 ,let these suffice at present4 ,i only want ability to get things ready1 and then to call the guests1 and to deliver out the various portions1 as they are designed3 but what do you think8 though ,i am such a poor servitor1 yet my master takes the trouble to teach me himself1 and ,i never get scolded1 without ,i act wrong1 and am always forgiven1 though ,i am often shut up in the coal cellar1 yet not half so often as ,i deserve4 ,about three years ago ,i sadly neglected the kitchen1 and the setting out the table3 ,i grew very careless1 soiled my livery1 and mingled even with the very enemies of my master2 this was very ungrateful4 ,i lost my place by it1 and have been out of place this two years1 yet my master is very kind to me2 he keeps me all the time ,i am out of place1 often sends to me1 and has been several times to see me4 ,he has forgiven my folly1 and ,i expect to be hired again1 about the ninth hour of the day1 and then ,i shall bring all the things ,i have mentioned1 and a good many things more4 ,i expect a double honor upon me1 for ,i hope to be steward also1 as well as cook and butler1 for you must know we have a charming wardrobe1 and every one of his ,benjamins are to have five changes of raiment2 some are to be worn every day1 but others only on court days1 and public days4 ,the outer one is to be always kept white1 and though bad fellows throw dirt on it1 yet we must not do so ourselves4 ,what they throw on us will not stick1 but what we do1 is sure to abide2 this is very remarkable4 ,but ,i had almost forgot the music1 a high sounding organ1 a harp of ten strings1 a cymbal1 a lute1 a violin1 a tabret1 and some silver trumpets1 as a dance is expected1 xxxi4 ,jeremiah1 ver4 #d4--,we have also got in my master's house1 some armour shoes1 which look very beautiful1 and fit every ones feet in the family1 and they are so strong1 that they are like iron and brass2 there is a two-edged sword1 a battle-axe1 a helmet1 a shield1 a breast plate1 and a bow with many precious arrows3 thus you see how well we are provided1 and in order to pass away our time pleasantly1 and for our comfort and instruction1 we have a good collection of books2 histories1 records1 and ancient settlements1 and a will or testament3 and will you believe it8 ,i think your name is in it4 ,i have not time to tell you about the ornaments1 with the dresses1 but there are ear-rings1 nose jewels1 necklaces1 bracelets1 and all powders of the merchant1 and as to money1 it has all the king's stamp upon it4 ,some have but little1 but others are well stored with it2 and there is but one piece that is ever lost1 and when one of the family has once had it1 and lost it1 a light is brought1 the house is swept1 and no rest felt till it is found again4 ,may my dear friends be thus entertained in the banqueting house1 while the banner of love is displayed over their heads4 ,grace be with you all4--,kind respects to your family4 ,your's1 ,ruhamah4 ,i once read an excellent letter on this subject1 in the ,gospel ,magazine4 ,i wish you could procure it for me2 it was written many years ago4 ,,letter ,,xv4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,may #b1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,mrs4 ,f4 ,my heart feels truly grateful1 that you remember me in my low estate4 ,there are thousands in a profession1 who boast much of their morality1 and good works1 and who may boast in the last day1 that they have done many wonderful works2 but ,god lays this to their charge1 they are not grieved for the afflictions of ,joseph6 ,such hypocrites are generally the most godly1 where there are the most lookers on4 ,my deep tribulations have tried many1 and they have fled in the day of evil4 ,what would such persons do1 should persecution ever visit our land2 and when it becomes a disgrace to profess religion8 ,nothing but the love of ,christ in the heart1 and that love kept up1 and manifested under the sacred power of the holy ,spirit1 can enable a person to go on in the midst of opposition1 or in the summer of prosperity2 for it is a well known truth1 that trials have slain their thousands1 but prosperity its ten thousands4 ,i well know now1 what these words mean1 8,it is my happiness below1 not to live without the cross30 this cross galls the old man of sin1 but it is the means of the spiritual growth of the new man4 ,hence1 the afflicted king once said1 ,lord1 by these things men live1 and in all these things is the life of my spirit4 ,faith1 if genuine has something to do in the furnace2 but when all is calm1 she is inactive1 and dull2 hope is languid1 and love is not seen4 ,i feel assured in my own1 my right mind1 that this event will be for the glory of ,god1 and for much good to me1 and to many3 but enemies will no doubt1 always triumph1 and say1 ,ah6 there1 so we would have it6 yet their joy is but as the crackling of thorns1 under a pot2 it will not last long2 only a blaze and a noise1 and then it will evaporate1 like smoke4 ,i hope ,i shall love ,god for this rod1 as well as for every other blessing4 ,i never fully understood the ,psalmist till ,i came here1 when he said1 ,thy rod1 and thy staff1 they comfort me4 ,solomon explains it thus2 ,to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet1 because this rod is as much an evidence of our adoption1 as any promise can be4 ,they shall all pass under the rod1 and they will say at last1 our ,jesus has done all things well4 ,ezekiel and ,john were to eat a book2 this was sweet in the mouth1 but bitter in the belly4 ,so it is the case with us2 the promise of fatherly correction is sweet to faith1 but bitter to the old man of sin4 ,nature flinches1 but grace strengthens the mind2 bows the will1 and resigns the soul to the will of ,god4 ,his will and our wills are then in sweet unison2 we are agreed1 and though we sigh1 yet rebellion is kept under1 by all conquering grace2 as a good woman once said1 ,though ,i groan ,i do not grumble1 yet she was sorely afflicted4 ,but1 why should ,i complain1 of want1 or distress2 ,affliction or pain1 he told me no less4 ,it is our mercy1 the ,saviour has borne the curse1 and of course took it out of all our sorrows2 we have the cup of tribulation1 but the curse is gone2 ,jesus has taken it away1 and neither sin nor ,satan1 the world1 or man can bring it back4 ,this was done by the great act of the ,saviour's sorrows1 when he entered the garden of ,gethsemane1 and agonized there1 when the sorrows of his sacred soul were past all description2 and when he cried out on the cross1 ,it is finished6 ,yes1 our dear ,lord knew then the work was done1 in his putting away sin4 ,he felt it was done1 in his soul1 as his ,god and ,father shone again1 as well as the sun did at three o'clock the afternoon of his death3 it was after noon1 indeed2 the burning sun of ,god's ,wrath laid hot upon him1 till justice was satisfied1 and then the indignation ceased for ever4 ,this was afternoon4 ,i drop this hint only1 but oh1 that our minds were more affected with his sorrows than they are4 ,think of these two lines3 ,canst thou1 ungrateful man1 his torments see8 ,nor shed one tear for him who shed his blood for thee8 ,i pray ,god to grant my dear friend very sweet views of her dear ,lord1 on the work he has accomplished4 ,may the holy ,spirit visit you1 and shine upon your spirit1 and help you to believe in ,jesus1 and so to find him precious1 that you may know your sins are forgiven you4 ,very kind respects to mother2 to brother ,james1 your companion1 and my friend4 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xvi4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,march #bf1 #ahah4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,,miss ,d41 ,what apology shall ,i make for my long delay1 but lowness of mind1 and a tedious winter2 and this1 with you1 ,i am sure is quite apology enough4 ,i write you1 concerning the once crucified1 but now exalted ,jesus4 ,as it is the wish of my soul1 to live to fill up the cup of some poor believer's consolation1 though ,i am denied that privilege at present1 yet ,i hope to throw a mite into the ,gospel treasury for you1 by sending a few imperfect lines1 which ,i must beg you to accept4 ,o that ,i had but the wisdom of ,solomon1 the piety of a ,david1 the knowledge of a ,paul1 the fervour of an ,isaiah1 the faith of an ,abraham1 the love of a ,john1 with the tearful affections of a ,mary1 that ,i might speak good of his name4 ,christ is all in all2 he is the very glory in the centre of ,heaven1 as the sun is in the universe4 ,he is the joy of ,heaven2 and though he is far off us1 yet he has promised ever to be with us4 ,he is exactly suited to us in all our wants1 and the love of ,jehovah is in no case so eminently displayed1 as in providing such a ,jesus for us4 ,so great1 so kind1 so glorious1 and yet so precious4 ,we shall soon be done time1 and commence upon an eternal scene2 then our knowledge will be complete1 though no doubt1 it will be expanding for ever1 and the effects of it1 even in ,heaven1 will be wonder1 humility1 and love1 for the mind will incessantly be employed in roving over the glories of ,god2 as the ,god of all grace1 one in three1 and three in one2 seen1 apprehended1 enjoyed1 beheld1 and loved in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and now they range the heavenly plains1 ,and sing his love in melting strains2 ,or1 overwhelm'd with rapture sweet1 ,sink down1 adoring at his feet4 ,may this be our lot1 and in order to that state1 that bliss1 that joy1 and that sweet employment4 ,may the eternal spirit give us such views of ,christ1 as shall cause us to long for the time4 ,we are poor sinners1 guilty1 and hell-deserving1 condemned by a holy law1 and exposed to a thousand miseries in this world2 and in our fallen nature1 to the woe of perdition4 ,christ is the ,saviour of the lost2 he was from all eternity raised up1 and voluntarily offered himself to become the ,saviour of his church4 ,say ye of him1 whom the ,father hath sanctified--and for their sakes ,i sanctify myself4 ,set apart1 separated1 for his peoples' salvation4 ,glory be to his dear name3 he is ,god and man2 had he been only ,god1 we could not have been saved2 had he been man only1 he would not have been able to save us2 but he is ,god and man2 this at once secures the honors of his law1 the glory of his perfections1 and the salvation of his church4 ,as ,god and man1 he is the ,lord1 our righteousness1 and as the atonement1 which alone is efficacious1 he is called the ,lord and ,god1 who laid down his life1 and purchased the church with his blood4 ,how most divinely adapted he was1 and is1 to save us4 ,what a glorious meeting of divine excellencies are in him4 ,hence1 the ,father calls upon us1 to behold him1 ,behold my servant1 whom ,i uphold4 ,the ,lord ,jesus declares1 he will say of himself1 ,behold me1 behold me6 to a people who had not known him6 and the holy ,spirit points him out1 by ,john2 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god6 ,i know my dear friend desires to know him1 that she may believe in him1 and love him4 ,this encourages me to go on with my sweet subject1 which ,i hope will not prove tedious to you4 ,the person of ,christ is most wonderful1 it is greater than his glorious works1 and ought to be for ever the theme of our discourse4 ,permit me1 then1 just to observe1 there meets in ,jesus1 infinite highness1 and infinite humility--infinite glory1 and infinite condescension--infinite grace1 and infinite justice--infinite majesty1 and transcendent meekness--the deepest reverence of ,god1 and an equality with ,god--infinite worthiness of good1 and the greatest patience under evils--wonderful obedience1 and supreme dominion over heaven and earth--the most perfect resignation1 and absolute sovereignty--an entire trust in ,god1 and yet self sufficiency in himself4 ,justice1 mercy1 and truth are sweetly combined in him1 displayed through him1 and shines in all he says1 and in all he does2 while1 as an high priest1 he makes intercession--as ,god and man1 he demands the very blessings3 ,father1 ,i will1 that those whom thou hast given me1 be with me4 ,he is the lion to our foes2 the lamb to our faith1 and at times1 he appears the lion in providence1 while he is the lamb1 in a way of grace1 to the soul4 ,this is your ,christ4 ,all over glorious1 is our ,lord1 ,to be admired1 and yet ador'd3 ,his worth1 if all the nations knew1 ,i'm sure the world would love him too4 ,and so says1 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xvii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,march #be1 #ahah4 ,,my ,,kind ,,friend1 ,,mrs4 ,o4 ,grace and peace be to you4 ,the wise and good1 but solemn providence of ,god1 having deprived me of the public opportunity of comforting my afflicted friends1 ,i have no other means of doing it1 but by a few lines1 about the best1 the most import1 and precious objects1 which will take eternity itself1 fully to unfold4 ,you1 doubtless1 must lament with me1 the narrowness of our minds1 in receiving the most blessed things1 with the intrusion of necessary business--the cares of life--the heavy conflicts we have also to experience1 with many painful visits from the enemy of our souls--the native reluctant of the body1 and the pressure of many trying thoughts4 ,these hinder our running the heavenly race1 these keep us down1 so that we cannot rise in heavenly mindedness2 and a sense of our past sins1 makes us ready to halt1 so that we cannot walk comfortably4 ,but though this is our case1 yet blessed be ,god1 we are not in despair1 nor are we out of the promise3 ,they that wait on the ,lord1 shall renew their strength2 and blessed are all they that wait for me4 ,this made ,david deliver this charge3 ,my soul1 wait thou only on ,god1 for my expectation is from him4 ,what1 alas6 should we do without the promises8 ,grace made them1 but the hand of divine truth is to make them good4 ,our wants1 woes1 and miseries1 were all known and consulted1 by the adorable trinity2 and dark as we are about the mystery of ,god1 all is clear to himself4 ,but ,i lament1 ,i feel a proneness to judge of the ,lord1 by carnal reason1 and this is like judging of an unfinished picture1 by the original4 ,we must stay till it is finished3 or1 like judging of a watch1 when it is all in pieces2 we may admire it when put together4 ,i often catch myself at this work1 especially when ,i am very low1 nervous1 and tried in mind1 temper1 and providence4 ,this is very carnal4 ,may the blessed spirit quicken faith to rise1 and wing its way to eternal love1 eternal grace1 eternal mercy1 and eternal kindness4 ,this is its proper element3 here we are at home2 here is liberty1 peace1 joy1 and satisfaction4 ,here we see infinite wisdom1 contriving a time when1 a place where1 and a manner how merciful kindness1 and melting pity should be manifested4 ,here we see every sweet attribute harmonize1 and every grace displayed1 while the cross of your dear lovely1 loving ,saviour appears truly glorious4 ,see the cluster of excellencies around it1 hymning its praises1 with harps of love4 ,faith begins the song2 hope1 full of immortality joins2 loves notes are clearly heard2 joy is sweetly provoked to help repentance with her deep sounding notes4 ,zeal most cheerfully moves her fingers on the harp1 while fear1 more silently1 more reverently touches the strings4 ,patience most meekly assists1 and humility sounds her simple airs2 yet there is not one discordant string4 ,angels listen1 and the redeemed above1 beckon us home to the general assembly1 that all may bear in the chorus4 ,and this will be the burden of the song2 worthy is the lamb that was slain3 but why the ,lamb8 but because1 in him1 and in his love1 person and work1 all the glory of the ,god of grace is most eminently displayed4 ,here we see the ,father's grace1 ,beaming in the ,saviour's face4 ,in ,christ ,jesus the glory of ,god shines1 and ,god is glorified in him2 and ,god glorified ,christ1 as man-mediator in himself1 when he brought him from the dead1 and set him at his own right hand4 ,gave him to be head over all things1 and to fill his people with spiritual good4 ,he was deeply humbled1 and sorely tried--he was sharply tempted1 and sadly afflicted1 before his exaltation1 and we must be conformed to his image4 ,before honor1 is humility4 ,christ found it so1 and all his followers must4 ,but when troubles abound1 is it not strange8 that though this is the very time the ,saviour is most tender1 most careful1 and most indulgent of us1 as a parent is of a sick child1 more than the strong and healthy4 ,yet these are the very seasons we have most fears1 most cares1 and most terrors2 when1 in reality1 we have the least reason4 ,how then1 is that text8 ,for my thoughts are not as your thoughts1 nor my ways as your ways1 saith the ,lord4 ,and it is very remarkable1 that the greatest part of the precious promises are made to the tried people of ,god4 ,i pray the ,god of all grace1 to strengthen our faith in his love1 in his grace1 in his truth1 and in his word4 ,o that when we open the ,bible1 we could always think we are opening1 and looking into the very heart of ,god himself2 as a ,god of love2 but we are too apt to read for others1 and say1 ,o what sweet things are here for ,god's children4 ,yes1 they are for us1 and whatever suits us1 that is ours4 ,whatsoever things were written afore time1 were written for us1 that we might have strong consolation1 who have fled for refuge1 and we have fled2 trouble1 guilt1 sin1 fear1 ,satan1 world1 and conscience has pursued2 but as faith gathers strength in the person1 and work of ,christ1 we find they cannot hurt us4 ,thy vengeance will not strike us here2 nor ,satan dares our souls invade4 ,frighten us he may1 but reign1 he never can any more4 ,no1 our hearts are bespoke4 ,christ is the lover1 and faith1 prayer1 desire1 and intreaty has said most sincerely1 ,take my poor heart6 ,set me as a seal upon thine heart4 ,lord1 take and make me thine6 take me as ,i am4 ,amen4 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 ,,letter ,,xviii4 ,valley of ,achor1 ,july #bf1 #ahai4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend1 ,,mrs4 ,r4 ,i am exceedingly grieved to hear of your indisposition of body4 ,this is the reason1 no doubt1 why ,i have not seen you for so long a time3 but in a few months more1 ,i hope to see you at ,mount ,gilead4 ,i soon shall get from ,achor's ,vale1 ,to ,gilead's ,mount remove2 ,and ever tell1 the untold tale1 ,of everlasting love4 ,there is balmy consolation in ,gilead1 amongst the heap of witnesses1 and a real physician there1 to heal every wound that sin has made4 ,i long to be at that mount4 ,but many1 alas6 surround it1 that never feed on it--many walk about ,zion1 that never enter into it1 and many have the word1 and desire the word1 that never did desire1 or enjoy the sincere milk of it4 ,you and ,i know that there can be no feeding without life1 and this life is seen by the appetite4 ,blessed are they1 that hunger and thirst after righteousness2 after an increasing knowledge of it1 and after a divine enjoyment of it--to be found in it1 in death1 and to be owned in it1 in the last great day4 ,ah6 this is the rich robe4 ,i pray my dear friend may be found adorned with it1 when the judge shall appear in awful grandeur2 when the elements shall melt with fervent heat2 when the stars shall fall from their sockets1 and when sun and moon2 when the grand planetary orbs shall be thrown into promiscuous ruin1 and all creation fly away before the face of him1 who will ere long swear1 that time shall be no more4 ,there are two precious promises1 confirmed by the path of a covenant ,god4 ,he swore by himself1 that in blessing1 he would bless his people4 ,he has sworn he never will be wroth with1 nor rebuke his people4 ,this is sweet food for precious faith4 ,o may you feast on it divinely4 ,because he could swear by no greater1 ,he swore by himself1 saying1 ,i declare1 in blessing you1 ,i will bless you4 ,eternal life is in ,god's blessing1 and this life being in ,christ1 in blessing1 ,god blesses us for evermore4--,i trust my dear friend's mind is often led to the ,saviour1 and that you prove his preciousness in his sacred person1 his covenant love1 his meritorious obedience1 and his atoning blood--his prevalent intercession1 and his advocacy with the ,father4 ,this is the glorious object of faith1 and round him faith hovers1 till it can gather strength enough to lay hold of him--to him it often looks1 and always bends2 and close to him it cleaves1 as the fond ivy entwines round the oak4 ,this1 you doubtless1 see in your lowest state1 even when low in body1 weak in nerves1 barren in mind1 tried in the world1 and grieved in the church2 and when nature is reluctant2 the flesh a heavy clog1 and the spirits within1 seem to sink into earth1 as its centre4 ,yet there is a going to our spiritual ,david1 though in as helpless a state as lame ,mephibosheth1 or aged ,barzillai4 ,i have had many strange changes of mind since ,i last saw you1 but ,i was never more sensible of the carrying on1 and increase of the work of ,god in my soul1 than ,i am now4 ,in my very best state1 ,i can never rise above this motto4 ,full of the deepest need4 ,and this line following1 expresses the warmest desires of my heart4 ,thou1 oh ,christ1 art all ,i want4 ,i am learning1 daily1 to know his value4 ,i feel my need of him increases1 and strange to tell1 the lower ,i sink in this frame1 the higher ,i rise in confidence--in a confidence that ,i never did so fully attain before2 for if ,i had a little of it in times past1 company1 visiting1 the neglect of prayer1 and carelessness of manners1 lamed me in both feet4 ,but ,i find it most blessed to be kept near the ,saviour4 ,i have had some blessed views of him1 and ,i am covetous for more4 ,i want to enjoy his love1 and to walk in him--to be adorned with his light--to be crowned with his loving kindness--to rise superior to the world--to fight the good fight1 and so to lay hold on eternal life--to apprehend1 embrace1 and enjoy the everlasting favours of ,god4 ,i hope my good friend1 ,mr4 ,r4 is well in health and spirits1 as trying times1 and body of sin and death will permit4 ,i hope he is growing in knowledge4 ,this will increase faith1 and beget a blessed confidence1 that maketh not ashamed4 ,the main point with us1 is1 to beg the ,lord1 the holy ,spirit1 to create a supernatural faculty in our minds1 to take in subjects1 truly supernatural1 that our affections may be supernatural also2 and where this is the privilege1 the mercy and the honor1 it is a most divine evidence1 that our persons are in ,christ4 ,the most blessed subject we can ever apprehend1 is the love of ,god4 ,o to be led with some power to this1 so as to conceive of it1 as set upon us4 ,what a favour6 ,we often judge of it by its effects upon us1 and by reflecting on what the holy ,spirit has wrought in us4 ,this is a good plan sometimes2 but are there not periods in your experience1 when you doubt of the reality of the ,spirit's work on your own heart8 ,i find it the most blessed method in my very worst1 and in my very best frame1 to fall low at the feet of ,jesus1 and to study the love of ,god1 to guilty man1 with the joint operation of each adorable person in the trinity1 on the heart4 ,the ,father convinces1 chastens1 and teaches us1 out of his law1 and testifies of his dear son to us4 ,he then brings us to ,christ2 the son accepts us1 pardons1 justifies1 receives1 and owns us as his own1 while the ,holy ,spirit1 acts as a divine comforter1 sealer1 and witness4 ,and when this is experienced1 we have the witness of the water1 the blood1 and the spirit2 and these three agree in one1 to witness our adoption1 and the love of ,god to us1 in ,christ ,jesus4 ,this1 and this only1 reconciles the mind to bear the cross1 daily1 whether it be reproach or bondage1 whether it be weakness of body1 or trying circumstances1 or even if they all come together4 ,duties1 and trials then appear2 ,easy to do1 or light to bear4 ,whether they many be1 or few1 ,we1 through this strength1 can all things do4 ,i remain1 ,your's truly1 ,ruhamah4 99 99 99 99 99