The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 2 [of 2]: being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjects — John Shaqi
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
I thank you kindly for the loan of books. I return you the Pamphlet
written by Mr. Gadsby. I quite agree with him in his views of the Moral
Law, which is commonly termed so, but which the Apostle stiles
_spiritual_. I consider the Gospel of the grace of God, the Father’s
will to us, in Christ Jesus, containing _Promises_, _Declarations of
Mercy_, _Imitations_, _Precepts_, _and Exhortations_, to be the only, and
all-sufficient Rule of a Christian. These are not in opposition to the
holy Law of God, but they far excel it in glory, and as many as walk
according to this Rule, peace be on them. Christ is our King and our
Law-giver, he has fulfilled the Law for his Church, brought in an
everlasting righteousness for our justification; he has put away sin by
the sacrifice of himself, and he lives a life of mediation for all who
come to God through him. The Holy Spirit illuminates the mind; reveals
pardon to the conscience; and sheds abroad the love of God in the heart,
plants his fear in the soul, and enables us to take the will of God for
our Rule, as it is expressed in the Gospel.—This is our rule of walk,
conduct, and conversation—the Lord help us to walk in this light, as God
is in the light. But I think it is cruel for any Preacher or Author, who
professes to be a leader of God’s people, to send them to the Law, in
_any sense whatever_. Every worldling and proud Pharisee should be sent
there, till they are taught their need of Christ. But an humble,
regenerate person, should always be directed to the Lord Jesus, to the
throne of grace, and to the glorious Gospel of grace. None but worldly
Wisemen will ever direct either a burthened Pilgrim, or a consistent
believer, to the Law. John Bunyan met with such a director, but what his
feelings were he tells you: First, he forsook the advice: of the Gospel
Minister, _Evangelist_, who gave him this direction, _Look unto Jesus_.
Secondly, He tried to raise a prejudice in his mind against the Ministers
who preach free grace. Thirdly, He directed him to go by the high hill
that he pointed to. This is the way that seemeth right to a man, but it
is falling from grace: the spirit of bondage began to work on his mind;
his fears of the curse of this broken Covenant increased; his guilt was
deeper felt, because he was out of the way. A sense of God’s anger
flashed on his spirit, and the dread of damnation overcame him. He
quaked for fear. This is coming to Mount Sinai indeed, and this is all
the Law can do, viz. Convince and condemn—and these feelings, more or
less, attend those who are seeking to the Law for life, hope, peace, and
salvation; or that cleave to it in _any sense whatever_: for what things
soever the law saith, it saith to them that are under it, whether they
are in a profession or out of it; and as many as are of the works of the
law, are under the curse of it—but we are redeemed from that broken
covenant, that we should serve the Lord Jesus in the newness of the
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