Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

God of our mercy had not prevented us." When our unwise and laboured schemes were just ripe, divine goodness crushed them; showed us the consequences which must have followed our success, how were we shielded, and " led by a way which we knew not.” In many cases, had we obtained our wishes, and performed our enterprises, we should have trembled, where we now rejoice. Happy for us, if a consciousness of the vanity of our own devices, and of the admirable wisdom of the Lord's proceedings, constrains us to acknowledge, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh, to direct his steps." Let us, then, walk by faith in our ever present and gracious guide, who, though unseen, is not unknown.

May the Divine Spirit maintain in us an incorruptible integrity of heart towards God and man; a disposition to incessant prayer, an humble and diligent attention to our respective duties, and to “ acknowledge God, in all our ways." Then we may encourage ourselves in the Lord our God: for " his eyes run to and fro through the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect towards him." When I look back, all I recollect of myself humbles me; and all I have known of God, endears him to me. When I look forward, through the short portion of days to come, (I may never see another), I can sing, "Thou hast been my help, therefore under the shadow of thy wings, will I rejoice." Join me in singing,

"Since thou hast been my help,

To thee my spirit flies;

And on thy watchful Providence,

My cheerful hope relies."

Your's faithfully,

J. COOKE.

LETTER XXIV.-TO A STUDENT AT HOMERTON.

My dear Brother,

As you are satisfied that infinite wisdom directed you to exchange Bristol for Homerton Academy, I doubt not, but your heart feels afresh the propriety of that injunction., "In every thing give thanks;" especially, as your present situation is comfortable. I

think of your present advantages: a gracious and an able tutor, the company and edifying conversation of fellow students, who are "fellow-heirs of the Grace of Life:" surrounded by friends, who are wise, kind, and communicative; blessed with much time for study, and a disposition to improve it; also, with various opportunities of hearing the gospel from men of eminence for grace, talents, experience, and success; happy in the affection, the counsel, the prayers, and the pattern of your godly and judicious friend, Mr. Wilks. What may we not expect from you? To you," much is given;" and of you," much will be required;" but not too much. May all these advantages be sanctified to your increase, in every suitable qualification for the work of the ministry:" in which may you labour, with the presence and blessing of God; possessing much peace in your own soul, and doing much good to the souls of others, who shall be your "joy and crown," in the presence of God and the Lamb, for ever.

You say, you begin "to perceive more of your own ignorance." May you see more still; or "knowledge will puff up." Without this, pride would often make comparisons between Brother Hopkins and some of his fellow students, very flattering, but very injurious to himself. Yes, even in your pious Academy, where you watch over, and pray for one another, you may feel a temptation to pride; for what can please the devil more, than to see his own image in God's creatures? May a constant sense of your advantages and defects as a student; and of your sins, privileges, and obligations as a Christian, through the Holy Spirit's power, "clothe you with humility." For the meek, God will guide, in judgment (guide judiciously, says Mr. Howe) "the meek will he teach his way." Your desire is "to glorify God," you observe. This noble aim will prevent you from envying your fellow students, who may appear to make a more rapid progress than yourself. I have often prayed for power to rejoice in the gifts of others. This is no mean gift. To do this, our eye must be single. If God's glory is the real and reigning aim of our souls, we shall rejoice in the gifts of others, which tend to that end; and obtain a happy conquest over a selfish and jealous spirit.

Unless our spirits are thus preserved from this malignant disposition, we shall be tormented by that, which otherwise, would promote our happiness. In the prospect of your work, and under a

consciousness of your own weakness, you cry, "who is sufficient for these things?" Who, indeed! And the more I know of myself and my hearers, the more I know of my work, and its consequences to the believers, and unbelievers among them. The more I am acquainted with the "methods of Satan," the deceitfulness of my own heart, and the number of "men pleasers," who call themselves the Ministers of Christ, the more feelingly I can use the apostle's words. And none can use these words sincerely, unless they can add, with the apostle, "For we are not as many, who corrupt the word of God, but as of sincerity-but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." Does the preacher, who accommodates his discourses to the favourite tenets and passions of his hearers, without remorse, feel his insufficiency? Does the man, who ascends the pulpit to flatter his wealthy hearers, and commend himself to their esteem, by indulging their humours, does he groan out, "Who is sufficient for these things?" No; it is the man who "shuns not to declare all the counsel of God." It is the man who " commends himself to every man's conscience, in the sight of God!" He can commend himself to the conscience of the mere moralist; and urge upon it the necessity of experimental godliness to the conscience of the self-righteous Arminian, and urge the importance the perfection and efficacy of a Redeemer's righteousness to the conscience of the Antinomian Calvinist, and insist upon the fruit of evangelical doctrines, in his temper and actions, without fearing the charge of legality. This is the man who will feel so much to do, and so much to bear, as will constrain him to sigh out, "Who is sufficient for these things?" But many so exclaim, who cannot feelingly add," our sufficiency is of God." To live near to God as a Christian, and find ourselves qualified for our work, happy and successful in it, this, all this is of God.

I have heard some students groan on leaving a Christian academy, that their Bible had been so much neglected, while there; and what followed? A barren soul, as a Christian, whatever progress they made as students. But you forget not, I am persuaded, that the time you spend at the Academy, is a small, but real part of a very, very short life; a part that will be reviewed by my Brother when he has left it. Blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing the efficacy of revealed truth, through his agency, may your soul flourish, and your conversation be useful. His pre

sence adds to our stock of experimental and useful knowledge; but without it, the memory may grow weaker, or stronger, to no good purpose; the mind may be stupid, the affections carnal, and truth known only in the letter of it. And it is more than possible, that your fellow students may feel the infection, feel it powerfully, and feel it long, and communicate it extensively. But I will rather expect, what I most sincerely wish, and for which, when I have finished this letter, I intend to pray, that your fellow students, from whom you will soon be parted, may often recollect, with pleasure and profit, the divine savour, the spirituality of your mind. Is it possible to know, how many you may affect, by affecting them? And how widely the influence of your experimental conversation, and spiritual temper may spread?

Your affectionate friend,

J. COOKE.

LETTER XXV.-TO THE REV. A. FULLER.

THE letters which Mr. Summers conveyed to me, I have read with attention and profit. Your ideas on this interesting subject, I wish to see in the possession of the Christian world, as it is called. Mt. Booth's late publication on Divine Justice, endeavours to confute your letters. You will, I dare say, notice his arguments. I did not preserve silence on this subject at Wallingford, from unsocial reserve, but because you expressed my sentiments more clearly than I should have done. And whether your sentiments be right or wrong, your writing must be understood. God has given you the faculty of thinking and writing with perspicuity.

Your "Gospel Worthy," &c.-and reply to opponents I have read. bless God for leading me in that path very early; it has preserved me from the embarrassments of human systems-systems, which are supported with a zeal which produces works fully corresponding to them. It is a mercy, as a minister, to be "the Lord's free man.” I have seen and lamented it, that in too many pulpits, changes are rung on the doctrines of election, finished salvation, and perseverance, when neither are explained. Like the text, they are detached from their relatives, and supported only by the assertions of the speaker.

Election supersedes means,-men impute Christ's righteousness to themselves and each other, to justify them in their sins. Confidence in their own knowledge and security, is faith. Finished salvation is enjoyed, where the good work is not begun. They glory in the doctrine of perseverance without entering "the narrow way," and, therefore, persevere in delusion, false peace, the spirit of the world, and contempt of all preaching as legal, which requires them to adorn the doctrines by a suitable temper and conduct. Often do they rest for salvation on unknown decrees, and expect to without holiness; except their orthodoxy be holiness. Christ cleanseth from all sin, whilst they trample it under foot, by a practical denial of its efficacy.

[ocr errors]

see the Lord "

The blood of

Your's, faithfully,

JOHN COOKE.

LETTER XXVI.—To MRS. SEARLE IN AFFLICTION.

My Dear Friend,

My soul. feels for your soul, in its present trial, beyond what I could express, if I saw you. And as I cannot have the pleasure of speaking to you, I hope you will take a line from me, as expressive of my sincere wishes for your welfare. Be not discouraged at the present dispensation; I believe it to be mixed with mercy; and if so, the frowns of a father, especially of such a father, may be borne with patience; yea, with confidence and love. Remember, my dear friend, that God is not only wise, but he is, strictly speaking, "God only Wise." He loves, speaks, and acts wisely. If I could remove your disorder, I would instantly do it; it would be my duty. God can remove it and does not; but he will do more, he will bless it, which I cannot do. "He seeth not as man seeth;"-man-a friendly man, would remove pain and disease from you; but God will remove the power of the cause of diseases. Do not say, through a discouraged spirit, under the power of sense, of unbelief, and fleshly reasoning, that, "God has forgotten to be gracious," no; he cannot forget his own nature, his own son, and his own promise. But then, the displays of his gracious nature, are various. His apparent seve

« PoprzedniaDalej »