Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

whelming sorrows, and insupportable burdens. When he is near, his yoke is easy, and his burden' is light; and in the keeping of his commandments there is great reward. You have sought his friendship, and found it, because he first drew you with' the cords of his love. Be careful to improve every expedient, and every opportunity to maintain the intercourses of that friendship; and with the increase of prayer and praise, take care that a pure offering ascends to God. Watch against every thing that would divide your heart from him, and then the condescensions of his grace will encourage such a holy boldness and wrestling importunity in your address, such a firmness in your faith, and, with all, such a humble resignation to the will of God, as will be a blessed' evidence to yourselves of the true spirit of adoption: and well is it said, "We that belleve do enter into rest;" so he giveth unto his be loved rest-rest amidst the shares of prosperity, and the troubles of adversity; rest in life's stormy' sea, and death's gloomy vale; and this rest the sweet earnest of rest in Heaven, where waves and storms shall never come.

I rejoice, my children, in your renewed experience of great mercy, and, I trust, that that covenant God, before whom our fathers walked, the God who has redeemed us from many evils, will bless not' you' only, but your offspring; and then, whether you leave them by death, or they you, there

will be a joyful meeting in Heaven, where there shall be no more death.-In this hope, and much tender affection, I remain yours,

J. BOWDEN.

LETTER III.

TO MR. AND MRS. B

MY DEAR J AND M

Tooting, January 20, 1793.

I HAVE a great deal of mercy to acknowledge, as my days and years increase. He is faithful that has promised. How great is his goodness, and how various! Its upper springs how rich, how satisfactory and permanent! and its nether springs, how refreshing, how salutary and consolatory! Blessedi be God, who satisfieth me with good things! My eup rúnneth over. The gifts of his hand, and the promises of his word; furnish a goodly heritage. But I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. Blessed be God, that in so great a measure my house is so with God as he taught my heart to desire, and as his covenant-promise bid' me expect. "The Lord perfect that which con cerneth us." I trust he will, "for his mercy endureth for ever." He has shewn us great mercy, and he will show us further mercy. Oh! to be able to keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal

[ocr errors]

life. Precious Mediator! how full of righteousness, and how full of grace; what may not be expected from the advocacy of one so high in dignity, and so transcendant in compassion? What a mercy to be found amongst the subjects of such a Prince, the followers of such a Captain; who are all called, and chosen, and faithful. They are all called to a hard conflict; they are required to take up the cross and follow Christ, to wrestle with flesh and blood, and to endure hardness. But, however painful the conflict, they are well provided, and well supported; and when the conflict is over, they leave the field with shouts of victory: then are the saints joyful in glory: they sing aloud upon their beds. Glorious hope! they shall enter into peace: they shall rest on their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Delightful banquet, with what great peace, what perfect rest enjoyed! how sweetened by the remembrance of past alarms, and toils, and troubles, and deliverances; and how heightened by the explanation of the whole conduct of the Leader, by the disclosure of many, many surprising discoveries of his tender mercies, never before thought of; and by the condescending complacency and love with which he confesses their names, recounts the instances of their fidelity, their love, their zeal, and proclaims, "Well done good and faithful servants!" No matter what the labours and the storms of the day be, if it shall soon close in a rest so sweet, so perfect, so glorious. Blessed Jesus, why have I

[ocr errors]

been made to hear thy voice, and follow thee; why hast thou spread thy banner of love over me, and inspired my heart with so animating an hope, while so many around me are enslaved to sin, and labouring for that which is not bread? How shall I duly express the gratitude which love so great and so discriminating demands? How devoted, how full of zeal should a ransomed and renewed sinner be? O may we all appear to love Him who first loved us, who so greatly loved us! May we walk worthy of such a Friend, and pursue the prize of our high calling, with a becoming ardour! May we walk in habitual and intimate friendship with this blessed Immanuel, dwelling in the secret place of the Most High! and that will be the best preparation for clouds and storms. Blessed life of faith, how full of peace, peace not easily shaken! how sure its supports, how rich its consolations! O that we could fully yield ourselves to God, with a firm confidence in his sufficiency, his truth and grace; and in the daily actings of faith renew the delightful intercourse; still looking unto Jesus, and leaning on him! Then, we should be in a great measure kept from the fear of evil. Undismayed by frowning appearances, we should say, "I know whom I have believed;" and in his matchless goodness he would say to our souls, “ I am thy salvation:" fear not, "I have redeemed thee: I have called thee by thy name: thou art mine." This is the best antidote to the impression of the alarms of the present day; the best preparation for

threatened evils. Indeed, here will be found an effectual security from all real evil, and a rich provision for strong and everlasting consolation. Blessed alarms, if they revive our faith and love, and constrain us to cry," Return unto thy rest, O my soul!" May we make it our rest, and dwell there! Then shall we find it a rest indeed! Even when tossed with tempests, we shall enjoy a sweet sa tisfaction in reflecting that stormy winds and waves are our Father's servants, and perform with perfect exactness his pleasure; no matter then, though we cannot foresee the particular event. You, my dear children, have been, I doubt not, solacing yourselves as Christians and parents, with such thoughts as these, under the present national disquietudes; and hence you have found encouragement under your present family exercise.Our love to all our dear friends.

[blocks in formation]

WHEN your very affecting information came to hand, I was just finishing the transcript in short

« AnteriorContinuar »