even in a strange land, charging faith and hope with a cluster of Canaan's vintage: and if at any time sorrows and cares are abundant, yet our consolations do much more abound. Still we are encouraged to "go in the strength of the Lord God:" his rod and his staff they comfort us: his power and grace are still the same; and encourage us with confidence to say, The Lord is my helper. May you find him every day, in every duty, and amidst all your cares, present with you! Truly he giveth power to the faint: he helpeth the helpless: he will not break the bruised reed. Creature-enjoyments yield a more abundant sweetness in his smile; and amidst the failure of the fairest earthly comforts, his favour is life. Oh, let our souls follow hard after him, and never rest until clouds and darkness, sins and sorrows, shall be all lost in the full manifestation of Divine Love! LETTER XXXIX. J. BOWDEN. TO MRS. S MY DEAR FRIEND, WHAT a mercy it is to be a sincere and devout inquirer after God: while many are perplexed in the labyrinth wherein Satan has endeavoured to involve God's truth and ways, to hear the voice of the great Prophet, and to be taught of him as the truth is in Jesus; in his light to see light, and to find in Him a sure directory to heaven! What a mercy to know the Lord; to be delivered from the face of the covering that is cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations; to have an understanding given us to know him that is true; to know him as ours, our Saviour, our Father, 'our God! What all-sufficiency, what fulness of joy is opened to us in the revelation which his Spirit gives! We may value creatures and ordinances, as the medium through which the infinite Jehovah transmits the beams of his love. But though the candlestick were taken out of its place, and the ties of the most endeared friendship broken, yet in the vision of the Father of lights, we need fear no evil: we may rest on his truth, and "All my springs are in thee." You, my friend, know, being justified by faith, what it is to have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; what the answer of a good conscience through the blood of Jesus is, and what the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise means. O it is great peace: it passeth all understanding! All the treasures, and pleasures, and glory of the world, are dross and dung in comparison of it. Ah! what are these to a wretched sinner, under the arrest of wrathful Justice? or what are they to a joyful believer, who has the love of God shed abroad in his heart; who bows at the feet of Infinite say, 66 Majesty, and by the Spirit of adoption cries, "Abba, Father!" who hears that gladdening assurance, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love!" May you, my friend, ever enjoy a solid persuasion, on scriptural grounds, of God's pardoning mercy! May your will be resigned, in filial subjection, to the will of God concerning you! Satisfied that He doth all things well, may you come daily to God as your exceeding joy; and while the glory of the world is passing away, let your song be, "How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God!" May you, with your soul resting on his promise as the faithful staff of your pilgrimage, press through the wilderness, and at last, at last, holding fast the profession of your faith without wavering, pass over Jordan ! We have reason to deplore the. state of many, whose peace arises from ignorance and inconsideration: the strong man armed, for a time, keepeth his palace, and his goods are in peace; but it is an unfounded and delusive peace: it vanishes before the light; it cannot abide the brightness of Christ's coming, either as a Saviour or as a Judge. But when "He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?" Many will attempt it: the lion' with dreadful roar; the serpent with his crafty wiles; the frowning or fawning world; the evil heart of unbelief, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. But though myriads of enemies should wish to make trouble, if He be near who justifies us if God command peace, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; if the power of Christ rest upon us, envy shall rage in vain we may proclaim to all around, Our God is in the heavens; he hath done, and he will do, whatsoever he will. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." What enjoyment like this is to be found on the highest pinnacle of earthly felicity? Has the world a favourite that can challenge the universe, and presume to say, "Who shall trouble me?" Alas! conscience ere long will trouble him, which now slumbers within his own breast. There are dire diseases, too, inherent in his frame, which, at the summons of Heaven, would effectually silence his proud boasting. Death will soon trouble him; and awful Eternity, with the dreadful cup of God's treasured wrath, will produce trembling, horror, and despair, for ever and for ever. is no peace to the wicked, saith my God." Of how many, whose situation is regarded even as enviable, may it be said, "The way of peace have they not known." You and I are in the wilderness as well as they: we are travelling, too, in a land of drought, a trackless waste, amidst thorns, and briers, and pits, and savage beasts of prey, and darkness and death; yet, blessed be God, not without a guide, a sure defence, a tried promise, and provisions that can never fail. O the riches of the grace of God! What wretched vagrants are the world's chief favourites, exposed to eternal evils, and perishing with want while an Israelite indeed, however outwardly "There poor and despised of the world, yet, in reference to his hidden life, travels in a style incomparably surpassing all the glory of the world! His is a royal chariot, paved with love; his guards are shining angels. The heavens drop down bread for him, more delicious than that which angels eat: he drinks honey out of the rock, and oil of the flinty rock. He follows in the army of the Eternal God, in the rear of patriarchs and prophets, and apostles and martyrs, and the spirits of just men made perfect: he is travelling with faith and flaming zeal towards heaven. Glorious is that faith, which bears his soul above desponding fear, while pressing to reach the heavenly goal, and longing to be there. Surely it becomes Zion's travellers to indulge a grateful frame: " Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord." Sing you too, my friend, and let Grace be your song; Grace, whether thy heavenly Father appear to smile or to frown; Grace in its gifts, and in its bereavements; in its promises, and in its prospects: and sing thou too, my soul, and with grateful, thankful ardour, say continually, Let the Lord be magnified! A few conflicts more, and our harps shall be tuned to louder and sweeter songs; and in perfect harmony with that multitude which no man can number, we shall sing of that love which here can never be told. I am, &c. J. BOWDEN. |