Samuel wrote to her complaining of the new ideas of his brothers John
and Charles, and appealing confidently to her verdict in the matter. He
found that she mainly coincided with the returned missionaries in those
convictions regarding the Gospel doctrines of faith and instantaneous
conversion that were so soon to move the world.
At the same time she shared his apprehensions regarding certain things
in the work that bore an aspect of extravagance. "I should think that
the reviving these pretentious to dreams, visions, etc., is not only
vain and frivolous as to the matter of them, but also of dangerous
consequence to the weaker sort of Christians. As far as I can see, they
plead that these visions, etc., are given to assure some particular
persons of their adoption and salvation. But this end is abundantly
provided for in the Holy Scripture's, wherein all may find the rules by
which we must live here and be judged hereafter. And if, upon a serious
review of our state, we find that in the tenour of our lives we have or
do now sincerely desire and endeavour to perform the conditions of the
Gospel covenant required on our parts, then we may discern that the Holy
Spirit hath laid in our minds a good foundation of a strong, reasonable,
and lively hope of God's mercy through Christ."
To the communications of John and Charles regarding the fresh baptism of
the Spirit that had come upon them, she wrote expressing her
thankfulness for the glad tidings, only remarking to Charles that she
thought he had surely fallen into an "odd way of thinking," in stating
that till within a few months he had no spiritual life nor any
justifying faith. "Blessed be God, who showed you the necessity you were
in of a Saviour to deliver you from the power of sin and Satan, for
Christ will be no Saviour but to such as see their need of one. Blessed
be His holy name, that thou hast found Him a Saviour to thee, my son!
Oh, let us love Him much, for we have much forgiven."
XI.
THE FOUNDRY AT MOORFIELDS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account