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me an experimental verity and," sometimes," a plenitude of the presence of the sacred Trinity." I do not know whether in my last I mentioned that my God, some time ago, condescended to give me a glorious view of the holy Three, which has continued ever since. O that while permitted to gaze at this grand object, I may be a thousand times more than ever changed into the divine image. This is my ardent desire, that every manifestation may prove of an assimilating nature; that, as far as humanity will admit, I may be all light, all life, all love, all deep humility. O what a soul-transporting thought, in the midst of present weakness, ignorance, and many humiliating circumstances, that yet a little while and we shall drop this vile body, and be all like God; and dwell for ever with him, and with our adorable Jesus; and bask in the bright beams of redeeming love. When millions of millions of years shall be past and gone, still one vast eternity will be before us. Amazing, that dust and ashes should be thus honoured; it is mystery all! It is mercy boundless! Well, let the thoughts of such astonishing bliss support and even raise us above every present pressure.

In the midst of all this great kindness, my God hath given me lately a constant sense of my shortcomings, of my spiritual poverty: this deeply pervades my whole soul; it is past expression. My only relief is in flying by faith to Jesus; there I bathe me in his bleeding side, and clothe me with his righteous robe, to cover my naked soul; and endeavour to believe till faith brings in more love, &c.; till his Spirit sets his seal to the work wrought in me, notwithstanding my conscious emptiness; and thus I am strengthened by getting out of self.

My heart is so enlarged to the poor, especially the Lord's poor, that I am in danger of making myself poor. I find the more I am found in this labour of love, the more the Lord finds out ways and opportunities for it; and sometimes causes others, even the most unlikely, to assist me. O it is a sweet work, to be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, &c. I should rather say, O it is sweet to act for my God; to give to the Lord, through the medium of his own poor precious people.

My mind is much tried as to public affairs. A wonderful spirit of prayer seems poured upon me, that our country, our gospel, &c., &c., may be preserved. I enjoy liberty in pleading that we may not be given up into the hands of our enemies; but have no promise as yet. I tremble for the ark. How do you feel with regard to these matters? Has Mr. H. arrived? The young man at Hope Chapel is doing well; things look better.

I have ventured to write freely to some of the preachers respecting the present appearances among them; which they forgive, and tell me that the Lord is still doing great things in different places. Write me soon, and refresh my heart, and strengthen my hands; by prayer in secret, and in your bands and

classes. O faithful prayer, what may not be done by it. increase of every spiritual blessing be your portion, prays Your friend in Jesus, D. MAXWELL.

TO MRS. JOHNSON.

Rosemount, June 17, 1794.

An

Dear Mrs. Johnson is upon my mind daily at a throne of grace, but still an embargo has been laid upon my pen. What a mercy is the mutual benefit, by the exchange of a letter now and then, when our almighty Friend graciously permits. O, who is a God like unto our God? Since I wrote last, I have experienced much of the divine goodness-much indescribably sweet nearness to and sinking into Jehovah holy fellowship with the Father and the Son, which sinks self into nothing. My God is ever with me: O how condescending; I can neither express nor explain it, but it is well known to my friend. With all this, I am kept little and poor in my own eyes; experience many stripping seasons and spring tides of painful temptations from the powers of darkness. I believe these enlarge my receptive powers; for frequently, soon after, there is such an influx of Deity, such glorious displays of future glory, as fill with wonder, and love, and silent adoration. I find the truth of these words, "Israel shall dwell alone." I meet with few that understand my language; and if they did, I often find that words cannot convey an adequate idea of the work and ways of the Lord, in these inner and higher walks of the Christian life. And yet I seem so far short of what the Lord often shows me is my privilege, in point of enjoyment and conformity to the divine image, that I feel ashamed; and grieve because my progress is so small. Help me to get forward. I sometimes think that the abstract of my life is a continual passing through the veil of outward things, and gasping to live more fully in God. I am kept in perpetual pursuit of higher attainments, that I may be capacitated to bring more glory to God, as well as to enjoy him more. How clearly is the grand prize set before me! Almost every morning my soul is fired and filled with a holy ambition, for the full possession of every purchased and promised blessing; but still I do not attain restless, resigned, I wait for it. I long now to find words sufficiently plain to convince you how poor, how unworthy, how unfruitful I am. The Lord knows it, and I feel it; yet cannot properly describe it; but beg you will do me the justice to believe it.

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I still feel much on account of public affairs; what adds to my suffering is, the most piercing convictions of the astonishing long suffering, patience, and goodness of the Lord. This penetrates my inmost soul, makes me blush and be ashamed to entreat for our guilty land. I so feel the weight of the iniquity of

us all and have such views of his consummate wisdom, and boundless love, that I am silent before him; and sink into his will. Yet, again, when I take a view of the distress of my fellow countrymen; what we are exposed to, what variegated misery, &c., I again open my mouth, and plead much.* Prayer is poured forth in public, and private, and secret; great the exertions for the spread of the gospel at home and abroad; and the Lord is greatly reviving his work in some parts of England. These things lead me to think he will not make an utter end of us: but chastise us in a measure.

I was led very remarkably to the appointing an hour of prayer, every morning, from seven to eight, to entreat the Lord for mercy, in the present painful crisis of church and state; I proposed it also to many, both clergy and private Christians, high and low; and they have most cordially engaged with me, to meet at a throne of grace in our several apartments. The Lord has given much liberty hitherto to several. Will Mrs. Johnson give us the aid of her prayers, and mention it to some of her precious fellow pilgrims?

How does the Lord's work prosper in your hands? Is peace yet restored to contending parties? We have sweet times here in the select band, and in the class which meets in my house. O how fully does Jehovah reveal himself in the latter!

If I can procure time, I will enclose a few lines to Miss R.: if not, tell her I will write her the first opportunity. This long epistle requires an apology. I forgot to say that my daily petitions ascend that all your corporeal powers and mental faculties may be continued in vigour, till you are called hence. Believe me, with Christian regard,

Your fellow pilgrim, &c.,

D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXX.-1795.

Diary and correspondence continued.

Jan. 2. On a retrospect of the last year, I find much cause to say God has dealt well and kindly with me. My receipts of mercy have been many; for soul, body, and outward estate. At times, the intermediate space has been checkered with various trials: yet still I have been supported under them, and often delivered from them. My heart has been enlarged toward the poor in general, and to the household of faith more particularly; and my powers of supply have been increased. In the course of the year I have been much tried with one particularly painful exercise, which has seemed rather to weaken than strengthen my hands; but has been permitted for good reasons. The Lord has * The habeas corpus act was suspended at this time in England.

more sensibly than usual owned my attempts for his glory and the good of my fellow creatures. Agreeably to my request, he gave me a token for good on the last day of the year; but the first day was ushered in with more unexpected trials. May all be blessed! I am again called to rejoice on account of the great success of the gospel, more especially in Ireland. Lord, continue and increase it, and in many places!

March 13. (Friday.) Still I have to acknowledge the receipt of mercies, spiritual and temporal. On Sabbath last, I found it to wait on God in public. From the text, Revelation iii, 2, 3,

food my first love. In the presence of the Searcher of hearts, I found liberty to conclude I had not; on the contrary, my love was more matured; my knowledge of God, and of the things of God, sensibly increased; my nearness to Deity greater; the manifestations of his love and power more frequent; and my power to confess and act for him, his cause, and people, sensibly increased. But still I felt cause to lament that I had not been more faithful, more fruitful, and also to admire the long suffering patience of my God toward me. Found Christian fellowship on last Sabbath strengthening, and still more so on Tuesday evening; and, on Thursday morning, the communion of saints was, of a truth, most refreshing. Jehovah appeared clear to the eye of faith, and his presence was most sensibly experienced by those present. I felt increasing power to mention his great and condescending kindness to me, to those that feared his name. bless him, he is daily teaching me lessons of faith and love, and helping me to improve them to the utmost. He gives me many sweet proofs that he is the Hearer of prayer, and in many instances disappoints my fears, and gives many opportunities of acting for him, both by more immediately promoting his cause and more remotely assisting his people.

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April 3. (Friday.) Through the tender mercy of my God I have continued to enjoy a measure of the blessing bestowed on Monday week. On Sunday last, in the morning, in public, the Lord comforted me by his smiles and presence during a lecture from the 29th, 30th, and 31st verses of the 11th chapter of Hebrews, especially the 31st. He also gave me comfortable seasons in secret prayer. Having several difficult services and duties to perform in the course of the past eight days, I was enabled to trust in the Lord, and he helped me, and brought me through them all: though not so as to please myself, yet so as to gain the acceptance of those for whom they were designed. I may say, in some sense, with the psalmist, through my God I leap over walls, and overcome troops. He gives me to see and feel how feeble and weak I am; how inadequate to any exertion; and yet, he brings me through many difficulties: and, had I stronger faith, I should see greater things than these. Lord, increase my

faith! This last week he has given me a most unexpected opportunity of serving his cause: O that he may sensibly countenance the attempt! Have been more tempted for some days past than usual, from a quarter that pains me. I see the cloven foot: give, Lord, the victory, and thine shall be the glory! I am too outward. I have need to pray to be more constantly and religiously recollected; more attentive to an indwelling God; every moment realizing his presence. O my God, do these things for me, that I may glorify thee more; may profit others, and enjoy more constant communion with Deity in my own soul. Still prospects are gloomy respecting public affairs, but since last date I have had the comfort of a spirit of prayer. Meetings for prayer are prevailing in many parts of America, among various denominations, who are all heartily uniting in supplicating a throne of grace for mercy in these troublesome and perilous times; also in Edinburgh, Glasgow, &c, &c. The Lord hear and answer in mercy!

June 26. He that is rich in mercy hath dealt with a bountiful hand toward me since last date. On Saturday last, in the morning, while by the way, my Jesus felt delightfully nigh; my views of him, and my relation to him, clear. In the evening when in social prayer Jehovah seemed to fill the place with his presence. In a moment I felt wrapped up in Deity! all around was God! and all within confessed his nearness! I enjoyed much sweet liberty in pleading with him. On Sabbath, enjoyed the privilege of his house, and afterward the communion of saints. On Monday, when with others, in an unexpected moment, again Jehovah broke in upon my soul, and I felt swallowed up in a penetrating sense of the divine presence; lost in wonder. O that these frequent manifestations may answer great purposes! My soul breathes for this, and for their continuance! at least, for a permanent power to endure, every moment, as seeing the Invisible for uninterrupted fellowship with the sacred Three, so far as fallen nature will permit. On Thursday, was favoured with greater privileges than were expected, which also required greater exertion than usual; but my God carried me through, though not with so much comfort as on some similar occasions. he is glorified, and his creatures profited, I am satisfied. Upon the whole I hope I get nearer to God: but have much to bear from myself. My soul thirsts for a more enlarged sphere of usefulness, and greater faithfulness in that I move in at present. I want stronger evidences of sanctification both from the fruit and witness of the Spirit: and more equality of spirit, temper, and affection.

But if

28. Friday and Saturday last were days of unusual languor. I felt unable for any vigorous exertion, either of faith or works; and was pained thereby and humbled. In these trying seasons I avoid all examination and reasoning. The latter I

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