The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 1 [of 2]: being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjectsChurch, J. (John)
Religion
The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 1 [of 2]: being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjects
Church, J. (John)
Christian life; Church, J. (John), approximately 1780-approximately 1825 -- Correspondence; Clergy -- England -- Correspondence
But I do esteem it among my many special favors, that this did not
continue but part of a night. I sank down in shame and guilt, condemning
myself and acknowledging the justice of God in my condemnation. But
while in this state, thus broken, contrite, and filled with holy awe, I
was kept pleading for mercy, present mercy as well as future. While on
my knees prostrate, as Elijah on another occasion, or, as Jeremiah words
it, Putting my mouth in the dust; and although I really was filled with
fear lest I should be cut off, yet at this very time the Lord gently led
my mind, or rather brought the following words, very softly to my heart;
they were at first seemingly at a distance, but drew nearer at I listened
and observed them. The words were, “I have caused thine iniquities to
pass from thee, and have clothed thee with change of raiment.” I
observed, my mind could not gladly receive this sentence, fearing
presumption—but they still followed me, and abode with me, till the
horror, terror, fears, and darkness gradually dispersed, and my mind was
enabled so far to receive them as to cause a present ease, which
continued with me a few days longer. I found the peace they brought with
them continue, and I was in a small degree helped to believe they were
from God to me, and as much mine as they were Joshua’s, to whom they were
spoken; but though my thoughts were in a measure fixed upon them, yet I
was not without being assaulted with some misgivings of heart. I
concluded it best to entreat the Lord to shew me this more powerfully,
and not only to put the words in my mind, but to write them so
effectually that I might know, without the shadow of a doubt, I was
actually interested in the capital blessings the words contained. This
was most divinely manifested in a few days afterwards, as I was in the
act of reading some remarks of the truly excellent Mr. TOPLADY, on
Justification by the imparted Righteousness of the adorable God-Man. I
was actually overcome with a sweet surprize of the love of God to me in
Christ Jesus, making his dear Son a sin offering, and his people
righteousness in him. I was enabled to feel such solid peace, holy joy,
and sacred pleasure in my soul as can never be described by tongue or
pen. I was melted by the power of his love, and indulged with such
access to God, that every doubt, fear, and misgiving of heart was
removed. I saw, I knew, I felt that I was reconciled to God, and that
God was my Father, my Saviour, and my Comforter.—Oh, that I had then sunk
into the arms of death! O that I had been permitted to take my flight;
at that time the Saviour had engaged my heart, nor could I then have
sinned against him for the world. I want many such sweet manifestations
of his sensible presence; and I can assure you, painful as my situation
is, I would gladly endure it again for such enjoyments. But I must
observe, these blessed seasons are unknown to carnal professors, and
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