The Power of Faith: Exemplified In The Life And Writings Of The Late Mrs. Isabella Graham.Graham, Isabella
Religion
The Power of Faith: Exemplified In The Life And Writings Of The Late Mrs. Isabella Graham.
Graham, Isabella
Christian biography; Graham, Isabella, 1742-1814
"The day is spent, and I look for the blessing. It has not been
spent so much in my usual way of retracing, confessing, and bewailing,
but with Owen on the subject of indwelling sin, of purification and
the, means appointed by God. The blood of Christ is the only effectual
means not only as atonement for sin, setting us free from
condemnation, but also for cleansing, as sprinkled on the conscience
by the Holy Ghost, and purging it from dead works. There are means in
which we are to exercise ourselves, depending on the Spirit for
benefit. We are to work in the faith that God works in us.
Mortification is one means, and though the mortification of the body
is perhaps one of the lowest, I think it is of divine appointment,
therefore not to be neglected. I have been also studying the death of
Christ, and his previous sufferings; the unbelief, the opposition,
contradiction, contempt, and cruel mocking which he endured; and his
meekness, patience, and submission under them; healing Malchus' ear,
praying for his murderers; that, as the children of Israel were healed
by looking to the brazen serpent, I may be healed by looking unto the
uplifted Jesus; the Spirit producing the effect. And as the woman with
the bloody issue was healed by a touch, exercising faith in the power
of Christ, so I may be healed by a look, exercising the same faith,
the Spirit producing the effect of conformity to his example, working
in me that meek and lowly spirit for which I have been praying. And
now, by grace communicated, I hope to watch over my spirit with more
success than formerly. I wait for thy salvation."
The following letter shows how Mrs. Graham persevered in her
endeavors to guide and benefit immortal souls as long as God gave her
powers to be employed.
To Mrs. J. W----.
"GREENWICH, 1814.
"Did not the dove, my dear J----, get into the ark? Yes, Noah put
out his hand and pulled her in; both are types of Christ. He is the
Ark of safety from the flood of wrath that must overwhelm unbelievers.
"I know not, my dear, the amount of that over which you mourn
with so much agony; I know not even if it be sinful, except in the
circumstances; you are conscious of sincerity, and you do not now wish
to draw back. We can, my dear, do nothing in our own strength; no, not
so much as think a good thought. To make any resolution without
dependence on God for strength to perform, is sinful; to make any vow
without a consciousness of our weakness and dependence on God for
strength to perform, is an aggravation of the evil.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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