The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 2 [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. 2 [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
We are poor sinners, guilty, and hell-deserving, condemned by a holy law,
and exposed to a thousand miseries in this world; and in our fallen
nature, to the woe of perdition. Christ is the Saviour of the lost; _he_
was from all eternity raised up, and voluntarily offered _himself_ to
become the Saviour of _his_ church. Say ye of _him_, whom the Father
hath sanctified—and for their sakes I sanctify _myself_. Set apart,
separated, for _his_ peoples’ salvation. Glory be to _his_ dear name:
_he_ is God and man; had _he_ been only God, we could not have been
saved; had _he_ been man only, _he_ would not have been able to save us;
but _he_ is God and man; this at once secures the honors of _his_ law,
the glory of _his_ perfections, and the salvation of _his_ church. As
God and man, _he_ is the Lord, our righteousness, and as the atonement,
which alone is efficacious, _he_ is called the Lord and God, who laid
down _his_ life, and purchased the church with _his_ blood. How most
divinely adapted _he_ was, and _is_, to save us. What a glorious meeting
of divine excellencies are in _him_. Hence, the Father calls upon us, to
behold _him_, Behold my servant, whom I uphold. The Lord Jesus declares,
_he_ will say of _himself_, Behold me, behold me! to a people who had not
known _him_! and the holy Spirit points _him_ out, by John; Behold the
Lamb of God! I know my dear friend desires to know _him_, that she may
believe in _him_, and love _him_. This encourages me to go on with my
sweet subject, which I hope will not prove tedious to you. The person of
Christ is most wonderful, it is greater than _his_ glorious works, and
ought to be for ever the theme of our discourse. Permit me, then, just
to observe, there meets in Jesus, infinite _highness_, and infinite
_humility_—infinite _glory_, and infinite _condescension_—infinite
_grace_, and infinite _justice_—infinite _majesty_, and transcendent
_meekness_—the deepest _reverence_ of God, and an _equality_ with
God—infinite _worthiness_ of good, and the greatest _patience_ under
evils—wonderful _obedience_, and supreme _dominion_ over heaven and
earth—the most perfect _resignation_, and absolute _sovereignty_—an
entire _trust_ in God, and yet _self sufficiency_ in _himself_.
_Justice_, _mercy_, and _truth_ are sweetly combined in _him_, displayed
through _him_, and shines in all _he_ says, and in all _he_ does; while,
as an high priest, _he_ makes intercession—as God and man, _he_ demands
the very blessings: Father, I will, that those whom thou hast given _me_,
be with _me_. _He_ is the _lion_ to our foes; the _lamb_ to our faith,
and at times, _he_ appears the _lion_ in providence, while _he_ is the
lamb, in a way of grace, to the soul. This is your _Christ_.
All over glorious, is our Lord,
To be admired, and yet ador’d:
_His_ worth, if all the nations knew,
I’m sure the world would love _him_ too.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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