The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 2 [of 2], by John Church
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Title: The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 2 [of 2] being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjects
Release Date: January 4, 2019 [eBook #58618]
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VOICE OF FAITH IN THE VALLEY OF ACHOR: VOL. 2 [OF 2]
***Transcribed from the 1820 R. Thomas edition by David Price, email [email protected]
THE VOICE OF FAITH IN THE _Valley of Achor_:
SOUTHWARK; Printed by R. THOMAS, Red Lion Street, Borough.
I have sent you a little more scribble to read, which will amuse you for an hour. Will you be so kind as to send them all to Mrs. HARRIS? You need not seal them, though I hope the Lord will seal you; but he has already, for the spirit in the heart is the king’s seal, saying, _This_ is mine—the Church is a fountain sealed; and every sensible token that you have had, every smile and ray of spiritual joy, every gracious promise applied to the heart, and every time love is sensibly felt, this is the sealing of the Spirit. Christ was sealed by the Father when he was chosen in eternity, he was the Son of God; but perhaps he was not sensibly sealed by the Holy Spirit till his baptism, when, probably, both the Father and the Holy Spirit spoke, This is my beloved Son, _in_ whom I am well pleased. This is my beloved Son, _with_ whom I am well pleased. So says St. Matthew and St. Mark. God has chosen us in Christ, this is the Father’s sealing; but the Holy Spirit in us, is the Spirit’s seal, and every gracious look, intercourse, and holy frame, is the sealing work. This is not faith, but it is the enjoyment of the object we do believe in. Faith is a radical principle, and always abides in the heart: But after ye believed ye were sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. This sealing is the sensible enjoyment of the promised good. I beg dear Mrs. H— to notice this. A little sacred comfort arising from believing, hoping, and trusting in the finished work of Christ, is also the sealing work; and, perhaps, in the closing scene of life, when she draws near to death, this will be more blessedly enjoyed—For my people shall be satisfied with my goodness saith the Lord.