The Life of Col. James GardinerReligious Tract Society (Great Britain)
Religion
The Life of Col. James Gardiner
Religious Tract Society (Great Britain)
Converts -- Great Britain -- Biography; Gardiner, James, 1688-1745
He had used to imagine, that the justice of God required the damnation of
so enormous a sinner, as he saw himself to be; but now he was made deeply
sensible, that the divine justice might be not only vindicated but
glorified, in saving him by the blood of Jesus, even that blood which
cleanseth from all sin. He was led to see the riches of redeeming love
and grace, in such a manner as not only engaged him, with the utmost
pleasure and confidence, to venture his soul upon them; but even
swallowed up (as it were) his whole heart in the returns of love, which,
from that blessed time, became the genuine and delightful principle of
obedience, and animated him, with an enlarged heart, to run the ways of
God’s commandments. Thus God was pleased (as he himself used to speak)
in an hour to turn his captivity. All the terrors of his former state
were turned into unutterable joy. And though the first ecstasies of it
afterwards subsided into a more calm and composed delight; yet were the
impressions so deep and so permanent, that he declared, on the word of a
Christian and a friend, wonderful as it might seem, that, for about seven
years after this, he enjoyed nearly a heaven upon earth. His soul was
almost continually filled with a sense of the love of God in Christ; so
that from the time of his waking in the morning, his heart was rising to
God, and triumphing in him; and these thoughts attended him through all
the day, till he lay down on his bed again, and a short interval of sleep
(for it was but a very short one that he allowed himself) invigorated his
animal powers for renewing those thoughts with greater intenseness and
sensibility.
A life any thing like this, could not be entered upon, in the midst of
such company as he was obliged to keep, without great opposition. He,
however, early began a practice, which to the last day of his life he
retained, of reproving vice and profaneness; and was never afraid to
debate the matter with any, under the consciousness of such superiority
in the goodness of his cause.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account