(_CHRIST'S GLORY NOT AFFECTED BY HIS PEOPLE'S WEAKNESS._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Peace be to you from God our Father, and
from our Lord Jesus.--I am laid low, when I remember what I am, and
that my outside casteth such a lustre when I find so little within. It
is a wonder that Christ's glory is not defiled, running through such
an unclean and impure channel. But I see that Christ will be Christ,
in the dreg and refuse of men. His art, His shining wisdom, His
beauty, speak loudest in blackness, weakness, deadness, yea, in
nothing. I see nothing, no money, no worth, no good, no life, no
deserving, is the ground that Omnipotency delighteth to draw glory out
of. Oh, how sweet is the inner side of the walls of Christ's house,
and a room beside Himself! My distance from Him maketh me sad. Oh that
we were in other's arms! Oh that the middle things betwixt us were
removed! I find it a difficult matter to keep all stots with Christ.
When He laugheth, I scarce believe it, I would so fain have it true.
But I am like a low man looking up to a high mountain, whom weariness
and fainting overcometh. I would climb up, but I find that I do not
advance in my journey as I would wish; yet I trust that He will take
me home against night. I marvel not that Antichrist, in his slaves, is
so busy: but our crowned King seeth and beholdeth, and will arise for
Zion's safety.
I am exceedingly distracted with letters, and company that visit me;
what I can do, or time will permit, I shall not omit. Excuse my
brevity, for I am straitened. Remember the Lord's prisoner: I desire
to be mindful of you. Grace, grace be with you.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,