The Foundling; or, The Child of ProvidenceChurch, J. (John)
General
The Foundling; or, The Child of Providence
Church, J. (John)
Church, J. (John), approximately 1780-approximately 1825; Clergy -- England -- Biography
I have stated but a few of the many great things the Lord hath done for
me; and no doubt many friends wish I had omitted some things which I have
related, and had been a little more explicit on others. I may also see
these improprieties myself, and correct them in my next edition.
I now proceed to give a short account of my spiritual experience, which I
trust, will be a little more edifying than the former part of this little
work. May the great Head of the Church make it so to his own children;
and, if they reap the least benefit by reading, God shall have the
praise. While I remain,
Yours, J. C.
* * * * *
END OF PART I.
* * * * *
PART II.
_Convictions_—_Strivings_—_Bondage_—_Liberty_—_Promises_—
_Encouragements_—_Success in
Ministry_—_Temptations_—_Deliverances_—_Answers to Prayer_—_Present
Situation and Experience_.
LETTER I.
“And all thy children shall be taught of God.”
To —
As God is determined to bring all his dear people home to glory, as the
objects of his everlasting love, the subjects of his eternal choice, as
the predestinated to the adoption of sons, as the purchase of his blood,
and as the preserved in Christ Jesus, so, the means for their preparation
for that glory is clearly specified in the Word—“Without holiness no man
shall see the Lord;”—and this holiness is the Lord Jesus, as the elect
Head of the Church. The wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification of
them; but there can be no supernatural knowledge or enjoyment of the
adorable Saviour, in this or in a coming world, till we are born again by
the Spirit. It is the high privilege of God’s elect to be saved in the
Lord with an everlasting salvation; but they must be born again to _know_
it. The elect people of God stand complete in Christ, before the Father;
they are one in him, and with him; they are eternally pardoned and
justified in Christ, and by Christ; but they must be born again to
apprehend, lay hold, and be spiritually acquainted with those things; for
Divine Truth has asserted—“Verily, I say unto you, except a man be born
again, he cannot see [enjoy] the kingdom of heaven.” Men may profess
much, talk well, write well, and preach well; but they are still in
nature’s darkness, except this change has passed on them. This is called
a new birth, a new creature, the good work, a translation, a calling, a
transforming, a renewing: but, let this work go by what name it may, it
is simply a change of _state_, and a change of _principles_, which
produces a change of _conduct_. It is not a change of nature, but of
state. Our sinful nature experiences no change; it is bridled,
restrained, ruled, and kept in, but it is nature still. Neither is it
any change on the body; only the members, through grace, are used in the
service of God. I once thought this divine change was a change of
nature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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