CCCCXXXVI. Nov. 6, 1806. THE Doctor is coming once more to inquire after your welfare. I hope my dear Tommy is still pursuing, though he often faints. The more difficulties lie in the way, the harder the soul struggles; and every obstacle that we sur mount affords us fresh encouragement, and opens a new scene of things to our view; our path is to shine brighter and brighter, even to perfect day. Various are the changes that have rolled over my head of late; sometimes I am barren and dry; then rebellious and stubborn ; then meek and submissive for a few minutes; then again I renew the contention, argue, and dispute the point, assisted with carnal reason and unbelief. But all in vain; "he is of one mind and none can turn him, and what his soul 'desireth that he doth." The branch, that is in the true vine, must be purged; for the dross and tin, the risings and workings of inbred corruptions, interrupt the union; and, as these carnal things rise, the Lord draws further and further off: and, as worldlymindedness, deadness of soul, &c. come in, the Lord goes out. In short, as sure as our inbred evils rise up, and work within, so sure do worldly objects without present themselves to our carnal views, which meet together, whilst a union between the things of this world and our natural corruptions (which are earthly, sensual, and devilish) takes place; and nothing but deadness and barrenness can ensue. But Christ unites with our souls, under the operation and influence of his own Spirit; and it is this one Spirit that resides both in Christ and in us; "He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit." This is the influence that makes the joint. It is the grace of God in the heart that counteracts the workings of corruption; but nothing less than the exercises of grace, or grace in exercise, can subdue them. Hence we find that when humbling love, and the sweets of undeserved joy; or when under the workings of godly sorrow, contrition, or self-abasement; hallowed grief, compunction, meekness of spirit, submission and quietude, patience working in hope, and humility under the rod, the cross, or spiritual desertions; when these things are in exercise they go forth, and Christ meets them; when they are uppermost Christ communes with them; and while they reign the devil and the old man dare not peep nor even gaze, much less intrude into the company of such divine visitors.. If Christ dwell in us, it is in faith. If formed within us, it is in hope. If he take up his dwelling, it is in the broken, and contrite heart, or else in love. If we have access with confidence to the Father, it is by one Spirit operating, and by the faith of the Mediator. Hence my dear Tom will see, that it is under the Spirit's influence, and by grace in exercise, that the union between the branch and the vine is kept up. Christ communes with his own grace in us, and the Spirit inspires and animates grace to keep up this union and friendship. Our old man and the spirit of this world have their share in us also; and the devil labours to keep this up, to our pain and cost. Hence comes our continual purging, that the cares of this world may not choak the word, nor overtop the crop of implanted grace, so as to make us barren and unfruitful. My love to Nan, and accept the same from CCCCXXXVII. Jan. 11, 1806. I was glad once more to see the hand-writing of my dear friend, being fearful that he was getting cold, lifeless, and indifferent. For when trials come on corruptions and lusts are stirred up; bad tempers, carnal enmity, legal bondage, slavish fear, spiritual desertions, rebellion, dead ness, and backwardness to all good-these things make the wheels of Amminadib's chariot drag heavily; and, though the spirit of the living creature is still in the wheels, yet they hardly go round; it is to us a round of bodily exercise, of dead formality, and of lifeless duties, by no means pleasing nor profitable and this is the case with the Doctor now; who is just as contented with it, and as patient under it, as a starving lion in chains, or a bear bereft of her whelps. But there is no discharge in this war, till the king of terrors writes it; and I think that a painful one, as it comes but once, is better than a lingering one, that lasts all the week. During the sixty-one winters through which I have waded, I have not suffered so much from a cough, shortness of breath, and weak lungs, as I have this winter already; and, should I get through it, I never expect to survive another; nor do I care the turn up of a straw about it, for I am as sick of a frail body, of the old man, of this world, and of the sight of those who are at ease in Zion; of the security and prosperity of hypocrites, of the fulsome prating of those that are in the flesh, and of the successes. of Buonaparte; as ever a dog was of his clog, or a criminal of his chains; and yet I know: r there is no life, no growth, no advances, no refining, purifying, or ripening, but in this fure nace. But who is there that loves purging salts? No afflictions are joyous. It is a pity that our high stomachs, stiff necks, and carnal minds, require so much purging, melting, softening, sweating, and bleeding; and yet I would not be without these things. Eternal life is found in death; "thy dead men shall live." The strongest acts of faith spring from desperate cases; "though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." And never does a child of God hug and strive so fast as when he thinks God is determined to shake him off. Never is he so fervent in prayer as when the door seems double locked; nor ever so earnest in scraping together, mustering up, and holding fast, every evidence, as when God appears to be stripping him naked, and turning him out of house and home. I shall proceed no further, judging that by these scraps you will be able to judge that the devil and the Doctor are not far apart. |