ision of my God, I value all; but there
lies the chief, _my Bible_, the testament of my dying, risen,
ascended, reigning Saviour, bequeathing to me eternal life, executed
in full, and made as sure as the promise and oath of God. The
influences of the Holy Ghost on my mind, taking of the things of
Christ, and showing them unto me; opening wide the leaves of that new
testament, in which I read unsearchable riches, and my title to them
sure: yes, sure, even to me, a base idolatrous gentile, a rebel
against the eternal King, my Creator, Preserver, Provider; a
backslider in heart and in life. What has such a one to do with a holy
God? He hath said only return; and he himself hath turned to me,
chastened, convinced, restored, comforted. His ways are not as our
ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts; but as the heavens are above
the earth, so are his ways above our ways, and his thoughts high above
our thoughts, and his plans above our conception. For although it is
for ever true, that he is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and
cannot look on iniquity; that his law has denounced a curse upon the
transgressor who keepeth it not in every jot and tittle; it is for
ever true, that this God is unchangeable in his nature and purposes.
What he hath said, that will he do. It is for ever true, that I am all
I have said, and worse, a sinner in heart, tongue, and practice; yet
am I a beloved child, a justified one, an heir of God.

"Here is the testament, here is my charter with the seal of God
upon it--JESUS, thou art the Secret of the Lord; thou art the Lion of
the tribe of Judah, the root and offspring of David. Thou hast
prevailed to open this book of secrets, to loose the seven seals, and
lay open its mysteries. Thou Lamb of God, the appointed and anointed
to the great work; in our room, and in our nature, thou hast sustained
the curse. Thou hast obeyed the law; thou hast drunk the last drop of
the last vial of that wrath which would have sunk my soul in the
endless depths of misery; and I never could have expended one drop,
but sunk deeper and deeper under it. O not unto me, not unto
ministers, not unto any creature be the praise. As for me, I am, in a
word, all that is vile in myself; ministers, providences, afflictions
are just what God makes them; without his blessing they will not only
pass without profiting, but Satan and corruption will make them
ministers to themselves. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, for he has
r