OF ACHOR: VOL. 1 [OF 2]***


Transcribed from the 1820 (second) R. Thomas edition by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org

                   [Picture: Public domain book cover]





                                   THE
                             VOICE OF FAITH,
                                  IN THE
                            _Valley of Achor_:


                                 BEING A

                            Series of Letters

                          _TO SEVERAL FRIENDS_,

                          ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS.

                                * * * * *

                               By Ruhamah.

                                * * * * *

                            _SECOND EDITION_.

                                * * * * *

                                SOUTHWARK;

             PRINTED BY R. THOMAS, RED LION STREET, BOROUGH.

                                  1820.

                                * * * * *




LETTER I.


                                       _Valley of Achor_, _Aug._ 10, 1818.

To Mr. K—G.

DEAR SIR.

MANY thanks for the loan of the invaluable books, containing the last
fragments of the late venerable and spiritual JENKINS, of Lewes.—Surely
it may be said with propriety, “He being dead yet speaketh,” but it is
only to those who are taught of God.  We speak, says the Apostle, to wise
men, not to unhumbled, unrenewed, carnal men, nor to mere nominal
professors, nor to those who are barely resting in a form of words, tho’
sound—such persons cannot digest the experimental truths they contain;
there was a time once when they would not suit me, but I have found them
exceedingly precious; nor do I think that tried man had a sensation, a
trial, a grief, a temptation, an enemy, a sin, a corruption, a fear, a
doubt, or misgiving, but what the Lord has permitted me to feel; nor do I
think he was favored me with one token or pleasing hope, an help, a
deliverance, a gracious smile, or a display of the divine faithfulness,
in the application and fulfilment of the promises, but the Lord has also
indulged me with similar mercies.  I must recommend them to the poor of
Christ’s flock who wait on and for the Lord, till pardoning mercy is
revealed with some power.—I know you are anxious to learn how I go on in
soul matters, this is the main concern with you and with all my real
friends in Christ.  I have now no other way left to inform you
satisfactorily, but by letter, and I certainly could fill volumes on the
subject of my daily experience of the teachings of the ever blessed
Spirit; nor have I any objection to make this subject known to you, and
to all those who are concerned for my best interest: this is the
principal point, to exalt the Lord Jesus, in the grand displays of _his_
grace to the most unworthy—and I can say to _his_ glory, _he_ has, I
trusts most effectually humbled me in the dust, laid me low, shewed me
such views of sin as I never saw before, and quickened my soul to feel
what it never so sensibly and deeply felt before.  I do experience that
the tendency of _his_ gracious influences meeken, soften, and humble the
heart; rendering it also teachable and grateful.  This I could
demonstrate by reciting a variety of experiences I have been favored
with, but I pass by numbers, to relate one in particular, that I can
never forget in this and a coming world.

After I had been in this furnace some weeks, in which I felt as others do
in similar cases, much grief, anger, rebellion, and discontent, but not
quite without a spirit of prayer, that I might be favored with the very
gracious visits of the Saviour, and a sense of God’s approbation in my
own soul, though despised by others.  I entreated the Lord to shew me the
exceeding sinfulness of sin, as well as I could bear it, for I am
convinced no man could ever behold sin in all its malignity, none but the
God-Man could bear that—yet I desired to see sin as most abominable in
God’s sight.  These petitions were in time answered; the Lord led me to
reflect deeply in my retired moments, on the nature of sin, original and
actual.—This knowledge of it increased, till one evening, being alone, I
was most completely overpowered with a solemn stillness of spirit, a view
of sin, my own sins of heart, lip, and life; these crouded in my mind.  I
felt guilty.  I stood condemned.  I had a fearful apprehension of God’s
just displeasure; all was dark within, except sin and the anger of
God—these were clear enough; horror overwhelmed me, and I sunk low at the
footstool of divine mercy; I feared, I trembled, I was brought low, I was
troubled.  I saw nothing of a Saviour, though I had so often preached
about him.  Head notions were nothing now—past experience was hid, and
every gracious promise of the Bible was closed up for a time.  What a
state to be in!  But I believe this was drinking of the bitter cup our
Saviour drank so deeply: this was, in one sense, being crucified with
Christ, and having fellowship with him in his sufferings.  These feelings
will give a man a real understanding of all those texts which refer to
soul trouble, in the book of Job, the Psalms of David, the feelings of
Jeremiah, and perhaps, what Paul felt during the three days he was
without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.  These feelings will make
me sympathize with the soul that is afflicted, and experiences the
terrors of the Almighty.

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
never enjoyed, even by the favorites of heaven while in a light,
careless, carnal frame of soul; no—the promise runs thus, “To this man
will I look, (and surely it was a look of love which I experienced) and
with him will I dwell, who is poor and of a contrite heart, and that
trembles at my word.”

Knowing you can rejoice in my prosperity, having mourned in my adversity,
I write thus freely.—Do as you please with the letter; if it is of any
consolation to your spiritual acquaintances, let them read it likewise,
but let them remember, I do not send it to gain applause, but that they
may glorify God on my behalf.  And as to many others, I am very sorry I
ever had their good opinion at all.

I must just remark, that such blessed sensations as I have here
described, is not believing, but rather the end of our faith, the present
salvation of the soul.  It is a manifestation of pardoning mercy, as an
evidence of full and free justification in Christ—this is, in the best of
senses, obtaining mercy; as such, I shall make bold to change my
subscription from J. C. to the name the Lord has given to elect Gentiles,
in the second chapter of Hosea.—Wishing you a clean hand, a warm heart,
and a holy life,

                                                  I remain, your’s in him,
                                                                _Ruhamah_.




LETTER II.


                                          _Achor’s Vale_, _April_ 7, 1818.

Mrs. H—L, Sen.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I HAVE been much grieved to hear of your deep afflictions of body.  I
wish it lay in my power to visit you, to read, pray, and converse with
you.  We have spent some pleasant hours together in speaking of _him_ who
loved us better than _he_ loved himself; who did not grudge to give _his_
very life for us; and I really believe, if it was needful, _he_ would do
it again, and not only so, but I believe _he_ would have done all _he_
did, if it was only for the salvation of one individual of _his_ people.
Alas, my dear Mother; what do we know of _his_ love, the love of a God?
All the knowledge the brightest saint upon earth has of that subject is a
mere nothing to the subject itself.  I want clearer apprehensions of it.
I want to feel its warming power.  I want to see its divine excellency.
I want to rejoice in the God of love; he has dealt well with me since I
have been in this place.  I trust _he_ has both pardoned and subdued
_that_ in me which was contrary to _his_ holy will.  But I want this
blessing carried on in every hour’s experience.  May the ever-blessed
Spirit give us to believe in the love which God has for us, and enable us
to give credit to this most precious truth for ourselves, “I have blotted
out as a thick cloud thy sins.”

I really think we are often mistaken about our love to Christ; for we
fancy we have no spiritual affection for him, because we are not in
raptures of love with him; but let me remind you of what the holy Apostle
says of the matter.  I have not time or room in this short letter, to
enlarge upon the subject, yet by reading it yourself in the 13th of the
1st of _Cor._ it may stir up your mind, and confirm you in the persuasion
of God’s love to you: “Charity thinketh no evil.”  The Apostle does not
say he, as a man, thinketh no evil, but Charity, the love of God, the
holy principle in him thinketh no evil, of God or the doctrines of the
Gospel.  It rejoiceth not in iniquity; then it is not a principle of
libertinism; but it rejoiceth in the truth, in Christ, and in his word.
It beareth all things God puts upon it, although the old man rebels
against the will of God.  It hopeth all things which God has promised.
It hateth iniquity.  The carnal part in the regenerate, loves sin, and
seeks to be gratified, but this holy principle hates it.  It is kind,
when the Saviour’s sorrows are in view.  It suffereth long the unkindness
of others, and waiteth till God is pleased to deliver.  It envieth no
man’s gifts or goodness, but rests satisfied with God in Christ.  It is
not puffed up, nor can it boast of what it does, but it extols the
Saviour; it delights in the Saviour; it is willing to owe its all to the
Saviour.—This is love, or gospel Charity.  This is that which is born of
the Spirit, which cannot sin.  This is the seed of God, the new nature;
and these are the evidences of an interest in Christ, and you can bless
God at times, that you know these things by experience, in some good
degree.  We have very sinful natures, but Christ is our sanctification,
in the holiness of his nature, before God.  We have broken the holy Law
of God in thought, word, and deed, but Jesus gave it all its vast