Eunice Smith's Writings
These works can also be found on UPenn's Online Books Page (as of 28 Jan 2018).
- Some arguments against worldly-mindedness, and needless care and trouble.
- Some motives to engage those who have professed the name of the Lord Jesus, to depart from all iniquity, and study a close walk with God.
- Some of the exercises of a believing soul described; in a short answer to twelve serious and important questions.
Eunice also wrote Practical Language Interpreted in a Dialogue Between a Believer and an Unbeliever in Two Parts but I have not obtained a copy or transcription of this.
Some Arguments against Worldy-mindedness
REPRESENTED By way of a DIALOGUE or DISCOURSE between two, called by the Names of MARY and MARTHA.
BOSTON: Printed by E. RUSSELL, next [___] the [___] of Liberty-Tree, for ZADOK KING, of [___] 1791. [Price SIX PENCE.]
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MARTHA AND MARY.
MARY.
I AM glad to see you my Sister, hoping our Discourse may be for edification; and I desire to know whether you are well in body, but more especially whether your soul is in health and prosperity.
MARTHA.
I perceive, Sister, your enquiry after my health requires a more deep and solemn answer than is common at the meeting of friends, who usually enquire only after the welfare of the mortal body, as tho' that was a matter of the greatest importance.
MARY.
Truly it is so: But why are we not more concerned for the immortal soul than the mortal body of our friend? Is it not because we are apt to look more at things that are seen, which are temporal, than at the things that are not seen, which are eternal? Could the clouds be removed, and the veil drawn aside that hides eternity from our sight, I believe we should often be apt to forget to enquire whether this mortal body was healthy, and our first and last discourse when we met together would be concerning our soul's health, and that eternal life that shall never end. But you have not yet told me whether you are well.
MAR.
I can answer concerning my body; thro' the mercy of GOD I am well. But when I think of my soul I hardly know what to say concerning that; but I cannot say it is in health, for it is almost surfeited with the cares of this present life, which makes me feel unfit for the service of GOD or man. I long to have it otherways, but I cannot obtain my desire: If you can tell me of any way to be[___]ee [___] this care and trouble, I should be gl[___] to hear it.
MARY.
I can joyfully tell you [___]ere is a way of peace: Come sit at the feet of the lovely JESUS; and first wash his feet with the tears of true repentance, and then sit and hear his sweet voice, saying, Daughter be of good comfort, though thou art a great sinner, I am a more great Savior: Thy sins are forgiven thee; go in peace. I say come sit and hear such comforting words as these, and see what will become of all your care and trouble.
MARTHA.
O how happy I should be if I had nothing to do but to sit at JESUS' feet and hear his words; but there is so much necessary service for me to do in the affairs of this world, that it not only takes up my time, but takes up my mind also too much, and causes many troubles: So that I am sometimes ready to wish that I had wings [___] a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest.
MARY.
You seem to think you should be happy if you had nothing to do but to sit at JESUS' feet and hear his words, but I can tell you we should always be at the feet of JESUS, let our work be what it will. Our trouble does not consist in what we have to do or suffer; but sin is the cause of all our trouble. We may be as truly at the feet of CHRIST, and take as much pleasure when we are doing his will, as when we have nothing to do but to sit and hear his words. It is pleasant to know what our LORD commands us to do, but much of our happiness [___] in doing his will. Therefore you are unwise to wish for wings to fly away to find rest; for true rest is only to be found in the place where our wise LORD sees fit to put us: There is the best place in all the world for us to take delight, if we can but cast our troublesome sins away.
MARTHA.
But what shall I do with all the cares that perplex my mind.
MARY.
Cast all your care upon the LORD, for he careth for you; and let your care be to do your duty every day: Let your m[__]nd be stayed on him, and he will keep you in perfect peace. We bring needless trouble upon ourselves, by trying to do the work that the LORD hath told us he will do himself. It is the LORD's work to take care of his children. Our kind Father knows his poor children are not fit to ca[___]ve for themselves and therefore he hath revealed it to be his will that they should trust themselves and all their concerns wholly in his faithful hands. He knows what we have need of and our GOD will supply all our need. He will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly: Then our care should be to see that we walk uprightly.
MARTHA.
But what shall I do when my heavenly Father seems to frown upon me, and Providence works so that it looks as if all was against me?
MARY.
Then trust in the LORD and stay upon your GOD; tho' he slay you, yet say you will trust in him. If you are in trouble, call on the LORD for help but never let a murmuring tho't have any stay in your soul. How unreasonable it is for poor, dark, short-sighted mortals to think they could order any matter more wisely than it is ordered by Him who is infinitely wise of heart and mighty in power. Though Providence may look ever so dark to you, yet as certain as you can be that you love GOD, so certain you may be that all things are working together for your good. I think this word in Rom. viii. 28. is worthy of a moments meditation. "And we know" Here is something it seems the Saints have a sure knowledge of, []et things look ever so dark; though they may be destitute, afflicted and tormented ever so much, yet they may say, We know "that all things;" (this is a very comprehensive word, it takes in all the mercies and afflictions the Saints can meet with in time) "work together for good to them that love GOD."—As a skilful Physician would apply many medicines to a man afflicted with many sore diseases, some of the medicines might be sweet and some bitter, telling him, all shall work together for good: So our dear Redeemer deals with us in wisdom and love. He caused us to hear his sweet voice, which brought us to life when we were dead in trespasses and sins; yet we are still afflicted with many sore diseases, all which he has undertook to cure. And there never was or will be a Physician on earth worthy to be compared with him: He is infinite in knowledge, and of never-failing skill. Then let us rest ourselves safely in his hands, and be exceeding joyful in all our tribulations, nothing doubting but that the bitterest pill will do the most good. I find I cannot express clearly what I see of these things; but I hope you understand my mind by my weak expressions.
MARTHA.
I believe I understand your meaning, though your expressions are short; I know by experience that the ideas of the soul can run beyond what can be communicated by words. But can it be as you say? Does the high and lofty One that inhabits eternit[], who makes Heaven his throne, and the earth his footstool, condescend [___] take a special care of any of his poor, sinful creatures here on earth? Will he overrule all the affairs they trust in his hands, so that all shall prosper, and not suffer any thing to hurt them by any means: I think if the case be so, and if I am one that he takes such care of, I have brought much needless trouble upon myself.
MARY.
If you think this is too good news to be true, go to the Scriptures and search for yourself: I desire to assert nothing for truth in matters of religion, but what can be proved by the Scriptures; and what I find there I depend upon for certain truth. We read of the godly man, that whatsoever he doth shall prosper. And there is no want to them that fear the LORD. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about them that fear him Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. The blessed JESUS speaks plainly of this matter [__]n Matt. vi. 24, to the end of the chap. CHRIST saith, See that ye be not troubled. Fear not is often repeated. But the Scriptures that prove the care the LORD takes of his children, and their safety and duty to trust themselves and all they have in his hands, are too numerous to repeat.
MARTHA.
Truly the Scriptures are full of such consolations; I see they fully prove more than you have said. Our glorious Redeemer takes such constant care and particular notice of his children, that there shall not an hair of their head perish without his leave. And he hath surely promised over and over, by many words, that he will do them good. I see that I am a foolish child. I have troubled myself about things that did not belong to me. I mourn to think of what I have done. I have been as it were trying to take the LORD's work out of his hands, and the work he hath appointed for me to do I have too much neglected. O that I could always live as happy as you do when you sit weeping at the feet of our lovely JESUS! I know by experience that's a joyful place to sit at So joyful that I believe none ever sit there long before they weep for joy. Tho' I am too careful and troubled about many things, yet at some happy moments I have known the joy of weeping at my Master's feet. At first I began to weep for sorrow, but as soon as I heard his soul-reviving voice I began to weep for joy. And while you have been telling how happy we might live, my own experience appears and gives in a witness of the truth of what you say.
MARY.
I can join with you in mourning my folly. I also wish that I could always live as happy as you do when you sit weeping at the Master's feet: But I am ashamed of myself; I see that the proper place for me to be is, not only at the feet of CHRIST but also at the feet of all his children. I think I should be thankful if I may be permitted like a dog to pick up the crumbs that fall from the blessed Master's table, where he feeds his children. When I take a view of myself, I can find no good there, all looks dark and melancholy. Self is an unpleasant field for meditation. If I stay there long I shall be in danger of starving.
MARTHA.
Self is an unpleasant field indeed; but I am so foolish that I stay there sometimes until my soul is almost starved to death.
MARY.
We should stay looking of ourselves no longer than just to see that there is no good there, and then hasten away from this barren wilderness, and enter the pleasant field where our beloved Savior shews his most beautiful face. Let us be speaking of the glory of his kingdom, and telling of his wondrous works. Let us be meditating of his power, and telling of his salvation from day to day. Let us behold and admire the infiniti perfections of our GOD, until we can say thou art altogether lovely; thou hast made me glad through thy work, and I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O how sweet and now pleasant! Here's matter enough to afford a joyful song! We may glory in the LORD and rejoice in the LORD; our souls may make their boast in the LORD. Let us walk out into this field to meditate. This field is so large and contains such a variety of beauties and pleasures, we may be always finding something new. Here is to be found all manner of precious fruits for the soul to feed upon. Here we may glean a little such food as we expect to live upon in the heavenly world Therefore let none ever meet us in any other field.
Mar.
Truly this is a sweet field for meditation: I have spent many sweet hours there in times past, and I could wish it might be the place of my abode: But alas I live a mourner's life! I conclude I am more easily led astray than any other mortal that ever tasted of the love of JESUS. For when at any time my dear LORD leads me away from all my troubles into the field of pleasure, and there my soul begins to feast and take delight, then some trifling care, or some vain temptation comes and takes me by the hand, and I am so foolish that away I go, and forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness: Then I am in trouble, and many sorrows compass me about. Thus I destroy myself; but I cannot help myself. What shall I do in such a case? How shall I get back when I have run away from CHRIST?
MARY.
I will try to answer your question according to the testimony of Scripture, and the witness of experience. It is a mournful and a shameful thing to run away from the blessed JESUS, who is the spring of all our life, joy and pleasure. But since we are such foolish children that we are very apt to leave our Father's rich table to feed among the swine, how shall we get back again? We can run away from CHRIST, but we can never return to him again without his special assistance; but yet there is a duty for us to do, tho' fallen never so low. We are active creatures, and therefore we must be active in returning again to our Father's house. Tho' we are sunk as low, and bound as fast as Jonah was, yet from thence we must look towards his holy temple, and cry to him that is able to help us.
MARTHA.
But sometimes I am in a worse case than Jonah, when he was in the whales belly: for tho' he had no way to help himself, yet he had praying breath, so that he could cry to the LORD for help and was heard and soon relieved. But as for me I am often swallowed up by worldly cares or carnal security, or something as bad, and carried down the stream against my will, and yet I have no heart to pray, and it seems like mockery to ask for help in words when the LORD knows my heart is not engaged therein.
MARY.
This is a sad case indeed; but even in such a case we ought to pray and not to faint. If we stay here and yield to sin, and give over trying to ask for help we shall be in danger of growing harder and harder, until our last state is worse than the first. (Not that I think any will utterly fall from saving grace; but grace will surely teach all that possess it to pray.) Therefore we must exert all our power in begging and pleading to the LORD for help, and never give over tho' he gives us no answer, or tho' the enemy tells us to hold our peace, yet let us cry so much the more. Tho' the blessed JESUS should long hide his face; and at length frown upon us and tell us it is not meet to give children's bread to such dogs as we he; yet we must not give out for that, but acknowledge the truth thereof; yet plead with the dogs to be permitted to eat of the children's crumbs. We must, like the poor prodigal, resolve to return, tho' we feel ourselves a great way off in a foreign land and our compassionate Father will run to meet his returning children. He pities them when he sees them toiling all night for nothing; and he is pleased with their earnest endeavors, tho' he knows that without him they can do nothing. The love of our Redeemer is such, that when he sees we can live no longer without him, he will appear and turn our night into day, and our sorrow shall be sweetened with joy. O how our hearts rejoice to see our LORD again, after we have been enclosed in clouds and thick darkness! Glory to his name that he blots out as a cloud our transgressions, and as a thick cloud our sins, and comes for our relief: When all other refuge fails us, the Beauty of Heaven comes leaping on the mountains, and skipping on the hills. Then we mourn and rejoice at the same time; our own works make us mourn, and cause us shame. We see that to us belongs nothing but shame and confusion of face because we have sinned against such a holy GOD; but we rejoice in the LORD who is the rock of our salvation. Then we resolve never to run away from our lovely JESUS again. We long to get more near to him still. His love is so attracting, that the more we see of his glory, the more we long to see.
MARTHA.
When this is the happy case, how shall we keep ourselves in the love of GOD?
MARY.
None but the LORD can keep us, yet he hath appointed a work for us to do, so that we ought to be as active as tho' we could do all ourselves. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; yet every soul that obeys this command knows it is GOD that works within them both to will and to do of his good pleasure. This is a mistery that cannot be unfolded by words as it may be understood by feeling the truth thereof by experience. I think by Scripture and experience that the only way to live in the sensible possession of the love of GOD, is to keep his commands: As JESUS says, He that loveth me will keep my commands, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him. We must watch and pray continually tho' at some happy moments we may feel as tho' the danger is all past, and the enemies are all dead; but there is never more need of watching than at such a time; for our enemies are still alive and lie hid waiting to see us led down our watch. Therefore let us hold fast what we have received, and see that we do not lose the ground that thro' grace we have gained. We must pray without ceasing, for all our strength and help comes from CHRIST. We must watch and search, and study and pray to know what our LORD would have us to do. Our happiness greatly consists in doing his will. It was the meat of our great Redeemer to do his Father's will and to finish his work: And O how sweetly do his children grow when they feed upon the same heavenly meat! If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. If we long to glorify GOD let us bear much fruit. We must also watch against every motion of sin: Resist the first vain thought that comes: Keep our hearts with all diligence: Take heed lest our evil hearts depart from the LORD. And tho' our enemies are lively and strong, too strong for us, yet the weapons of earnest prayer will prevail when nothing else will do, if we are but constant to fight against our spiritual enemies, through the strength of CHRIST, we shall surely prevail against them. Resist the devil and CHRIST will make him flee. I speak by experience (and I think it agrees with the Scriptures.) Whenever I have been engaged in war against my sins, tho' I had no strength of my own, yet the LORD suffered not my enemies to triumph over me; but as soon as I grew careless and laid down my weapons, my enemies prevailed and brought me into bondage; and there my wise LORD let me be, until I saw my folly and tasted the bitter fruit of unwatchfulness.
MARTHA.
My experience bears witness to the truth of these things, and I resolve to try to be more watchful than I have been; but I know I can do nothing in my own strength. I think I see the narrow way, and it looks exceeding bright and beautiful, and I long to walk therein. But there is nothing more base than I am. I see I am much defiled with sin. O for deliverance from sin! It is sin is the cause of all my trouble. I would do good, but evil is present with me. I know that in me, that is in my flesh dwells no good thing. But why should I stand still looking o[__] myself? Behold the Lamb of GOD has died for the chief of sinners! I will run and fall down at his blessed feet, for I have no where else to go. Behold I see, thro' a glass darkly a little glimpse of his glory, and my heart is ravished at the sight! Tho' my own comliness is turned to corruption before him, yet the joy far exceeds the sorrow. Let me be abased, I care not how much if JESUS is but exalted. As for my iniquities. I believe he will purge them away. He is able to cleanse my defiled soul by that [__]ighty power, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. Now, my Sister, rejoice with me and bless the LORD. Come magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Glory to GOD for the peace I now enjoy! Now I can trust myself, soul and body and all my concerns for time and eternity, in the hands of this lovely One. He will perform all things for me exactly right. I see that he hath done all things well. Why have I been so careful and troubled about many things, when there is but one thing needful? May I but have CHRIST to dwell in my heart by faith, I have enough, all is well. O the love of JESUS how sweet it is!
O this is my REDEEMER's love,
Descending fr[__]ly from above
To my poor soul; then back it goes
To my dear LORD, from whom it flows.
Why doth he any notice take
Of me who did his way forsake.
Except it be to bid me go
From Him to everlasting woe.
Free grace I free grace I my soul doth sing!
Glory to GOD! my heavenly King!
I long to sing a song of praise
That shall not cease to endless days.
But my soul seems to be in a cage, so I can't fly away and sing as I desire, as I believe the birds of paradise do above. Come Lord Jesus come quickly.
MARY.
Dear Sister I rejoice with you. Glory to GOD alone. You speak my heart, and I trust I have spoke yours. Come let us sing as well as we can while we remain in the cage. Quickly our Wellbeloved will send the messenger Death, or come himself and set our longing souls at liberty. Then we shall obtain all our desires: We shall leave all our sins behind us; and they can never follow us into that holy City above, for there shall in no case enter any thing that defileth. Then shall we be as holy as we can desire. Then we shall be satisfied with the love of him who is altogether lovely. Then we shall be able to praise him as we desire, and all the excellent ones in Heaven and earth will join and help us praise our GOD forever! Now we receive but now and then a drop of sweet love and heavenly joy; but then we shall drink of the river of pleasure forevermore. O blessed hope! full of consolation! Sweet and pleasant is the way, and sweet will be the end of our journey.
MAR. Amen! Amen! my soul doth say.
O how I long to fly away.
And see my lovely JESUS dear.
Who now my weary soul doth chear.
Glory to GOD and to the LAMB,
Forever blessed be his Name!
Glory to Him that once did die
For rebel sinners such as I!
He is altogether lovely! His justice and mercy are lovely. All his dealings with his children are altogether lovely. We may trust in him and not be afraid of earth or Hell. I can say hitherto the LORD hath helped me. Here I desire to set up a pillar of remembrance, and never forget what I now see of the safety of trusting in the LORD. If all the Angels in Heaven and all the men on earth should promise to stand by me and be my friends in all dangers, it could not make me feel so safe as I now feel in the hands of my GOD. The LORD is my strength and song. Glory to GOD alone!
MARY.
Glory to GOD for what he hath done for your soul. I have had a simpathy with your sorrow, and I rejoice for your joy and consolation. O the sweet uniting love of JESUS! If the fellowship of the spirit is so sweet here, while all our grace is mixed with sin, and all our joy is mixed with sorrow, how unspeakably sweet will our fellowship be when we shall meet together in the world of glory, freed from all sin, with our soul [__] bodies refined and made immortal, decked with the beauty of our glorious Head! O how unworthy am I to hope for such unspeakable blessings; I know I deserve Hell, yet I believe my GOD will bring me safely to Heaven: Not for any worthiness in me, but for his own name's sake. Glory to GOD!
I hope to spend eternal days
With Him whom I admire and praise.
Where all the bright redeemed throng
Shall sing the everlasting song.
There shall we see in glory bright
The GOD in whom our souls delight.
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
With all the bright angelic Host.
There shall the whole redeemed Race
Behold their great Redeemer's face,
And all unite with one accord
To praise and bless their glorious LORD.
O glorious happy day indeed.
When we shall all from sin be freed,
When we our glorious King shall see,
And like to Him forever be.
Come let us run and take the prize
That shines so bright before our eyes;
With patience run thro' troubles here,
Until we see our JESUS dear.
MAR. O I long to run faster towards the glorious prize! All the troubles of time are nothing in my way, when the eye of faith is fixed on JESUS.
Engage my soul with all thy might
Under thy glorious Captain fight;
None never need to quit the field:
I hope thro' CHRIST to never yield.
Call on the LORD for grace and strength
Eternal peace will come at length.
Sweet songs of praise I hope to sing,
Melodious, music to my KING.
I know He's worthy of my praise;
To Him I dedicate my days:
Hosanna to the GOD of grace.
ASHFIELD, March 17, 1791.
Some Motives to Engage Those Who Have Professed the Name of the Lord Jesus
BY EUNICE SMITH.
PRINTED AT GREENFIELD, (MASS.) FOR THE PROPRIETOR.
1798.
FRIENDLY READER,
I PRESENT you the following lines, hoping you may receive some blessing from the LORD when you read them. Though this pamphlet is but short, and its author but weak, and both will, doubtless, be slighted by many, yet the LORD is able-to bless it, for the good of souls, if he pleases. Though I never expect to see many of you, in time I hope, through free grace in the blessed JESUS, to meet all true saints in the heavenly world.
MOTIVES, &c.
I. A REMEMBRANCE of the state of death we once were in, may be as a warning to beware of returning thither again. What bondage we were in when we were slaves to sin—upon the road to hell! Then we loved sin, but now we profess to hate it. Forget not, O my soul, the wormwood and the gall; remember what trouble and distress sin brought upon thee, under which soul and body must have sunk forever, were it not for the blessed JESUS. I charge thee O my soul, to beware of sin—forsake the city of destruction—flee to the mountain—tarry not in all the plain, lest thou be consumed. Oh, may I never be so amazing foolish, as to cast off the easy yoke of the lovely JESUS, and to be again entangled with the yoke of bondage.
Oh! What a wretched state of sin,
What clouds of darkness I was in—
By nature all undone:
But Oh! The rich and wond'rous love,
That comes so sweetly from above,
Thro' GOD's beloved SON!
II. THE wonderous way that our souls are delivered from our death state should be a strong motive to engage us to live to the glory of GOD. Behold the LAMB of GOD, O my soul! Take a view of what this lovely Being underwent to redeem thee, not only from misery, but also from sin. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, while he lived on earth, not for his own sins, for he was perfectly pure; but he was wounded for our transgressions. Oh! What distress JESUS underwent, when being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.— Oh! Is not this enough to excite me to proclaim eternal war against sin? Can I hug the serpent in my bosom, that caused the Beauty of Heaven to be covered with blood? That caused the blessed Sun of glory to be eclipsed for a season? Oh! What sorrows he underwent in the garden, when he said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death! Was there no mortal then to watch with the blessed JESUS in this distressing hour? Could not his own disciples, for whose sake he was suffering, have so much of a sympathy with him in his distress, as to keep awake one hour, when he bid them watch with him? No—this blessed ONE must bear the weight of his people's sins alone— none was able or willing to help Who can conceive what he underwent in the garden! But that was not all; he must suffer vastly more before he could say, It is finished. Behold the suffering JESUS—His soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, to redeem my poor soul from eternal death! His blessed innocent body was also tormented, even unto death, to save my poor body from the power of death. Can I bear to behold by faith, how those blessed hands and feet were nailed to the cross, until sin and sinners tormented the SON of GOD to death. Oh! Amazing love and pity! Did the King of Glory undergo all this, and vastly more than I can conceive, to redeem my soul and body from sin and death, and shall not the soul and body thus redeemed, be entirely at his command? Surely the sense of these things, will make every soul that loves GOD, hate sin. Am I bought with such a price, and shall I not glorify GOD with my body and spirit, which are his?
Can I believe that CHRIST did die,
To ransom such a worm as I,
From everlasting death —
And not resolve to spend my days
In showing forth my SAVIOUR's praise,
While JESUS lends me breath?
III. THE SAVIOUR's loving invitations, [__]e exceeding great and precious promises, and [__]e sweet comforts and rich blessings of a holy [__]e, may be enough to excite us to walk in [__]e bright and shining way of holiness, wherein the ransomed of the LORD shall walk, until they come to Mount Zion with songs, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. Doth our kind LORD give so many sweet counsels and loving invitations to us, unworthy sinners, to walk in his pleasant ways, and shall we take no heed to walk in the law of the LORD, with all our heart? Take heed, O my soul, lest thou sin against pure love and sweet compassion. There is no way good or pleasant but that which our blessed REDEEMER walked in. Great peace have they who love his law, and nothing shall offend them. Oh! What peace and joy we have found in obedience to the commands of GOD! What can be more foolish than for a soul to leave this bright and shining way that leads to eternal glory, and turn aside after poor toys, that are good for nothing, among briers and thorns, dragons, lions, and serpents, and all manner of dangers, with the hazard of losing heaven and obtaining hell? Sweet promises and rich blessings, are strewed like roses under our feet, all along the way to glory: But threatenings and curses are scattered in all other paths. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promises of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. None can tell the advantage and profit the honour and pleasure, the beauty and [__]ory, of living a holy and religious life!— Godliness draws all the blessings, and ungodliness draws all the curses in the Bible.
O happy souls, that walk with GOD,
And keep the bright and shining road,
That leads to Paradise;
No trouble can their peace destroy,
Whilst marching on to endless joy,
To see their lovely CHRIST!
IV. THE danger of going back from a good beginning should make us afraid to sin against GOD, and shun every temptation that would entice us to depart from the LORD.— We must not so much as look back with a desire after any sinful pleasure; for the LORD JESUS says, "He that putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is not fit for the kingdom of heaven." Take heed, O my soul, and beware of a sinful look. Let us remember Lot's wife; she looked back after she had set out to leave Sodom, and behold she is turned into a pillar of salt, to stand as a warning to all generations! May all professors take notice, and when once set out for Mount Zion, never look back with any desire after what we have left in Sodom. If it is so dangerous to look back, what will be the fate of those who not only look, but draw back unto perdition? Hear what the King of Glory says— "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Oh! What a solemn warning is this! Can I be so hardened and deceived by the flatteries of sin, as to face all the threatenings in the Bible, rather than face a vain world? Don't I fear the wrath and displeasure of the Almighty King of heaven and earth, so much as the frowns of a few earth worms? It is not only dangerous, but it is hard going back —the way of transgressors is hard. It is a way of death, and of darkness wherein is no pleasure. Our experience tells us we find no peace in departing from the Prince of Peace. Tho' sin may deceive us with a vain hope of finding satisfaction in pursuing something besides GOD, yet we shall find all the sweets of sin, bitter as wormwood, as unsatisfying as gravel or ashes, and as unwholesome as the worst of poison.— If our schemes seem to prosper in a way of sin, yet we shall find that the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of tools shall destroy them. If the Lord gives us our carnal desires while we depart from him, he will send leanness into our souls. There is no pleasure nor safety but in living near to GOD.
Then O my soul, beware of sin:
LORD make and keep me pure within—
Oh! May I walk with Thee!
And never rove, nor go astray,
But walk in CHRIST, my glorious way,
Until thy face I see.
V. IF we have any love to the saints, or pity to poor sinners, let us take heed to walk like true christians. Can I bear to wound the lovely Saviour, and thereby wound the hearts of those who love him? Did the dear saints rejoice to see me make a good profession, and now shall their souls mourn for my falling away? Shall I be a child that causes shame and sorrow? Must I be a blot and a a dishonour to the royal family of King JESUS? Oh! May I never bring a reproach upon religion, and grieve the excellent ones of the earth. May I bear so much of the image of the lovely JESUS, that those who love JESUS may be glad when they see me! Oh, may we sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS! It is not only wounding to the saints, but cruelty to those that never knew the way of peace, for those who profess to be followers of the LAMB of GOD, to walk disagreeable to their profession. Can I bear to help the sinner down to to hell? Shall I, by my evil example, or vain conversation, be the means of binding the precious souls of my dear friends down to everlasting death, and yet expect myself to obtain everlasting life? If my conversation is in heaven, I may, by the blessing of GOD, be the means of saving souls from death, and of turning many to righteousness, and have the pleasure of seeing them eternally shining in glory: But if I join with sinners, and walk with them in the ways of sin, perhaps I shall be the means of their going to eternal misery —like those who would not enter into the kingdom of heaven themselves, and those that would enter in they hindered. Time is short —Have I one moment to waste? A long eternity of joy or sorrow will soon be my abode, and the abode of all my friends on earth.
Saints should not like the sinners walk,
Nor join with them in foolish talk,
Or any sinful way:
We that profess the SAVIOUR's Name,
Should make his praises all our theme,
While in this world we stay.
VI. SINCE it is revealed by the Scriptures, that the angels of GOD are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, this puts us under great [___]gration to see that we spend all our time in the service of GOD. What wonderful blessings GOD bestows on unworthy sinners! He gave his beloved SON to die, who ever lives to make [___]ercession for us; and he sends his angels to guard us through this dangerous world. Beware of sin, O my soul! Shall the angels who rejoice to see sinners repent, wait upon me, while I sin against their King? Oh, that I could live in such a manner as to be a delight to the LORD, to angels and to saints. I believe it adds to their joy in heaven, to have songs of praise ascend from souls on earth.
My soul, come join the host above,
Whose tongues are fired with sacred love,
The SAVIOUR's Name to bless:
Oh! May I join the angels' song,
While they conduct my feet along.
Thro' this dark wilderness
VII. THE glory of GOD, above all things, should be a motive to engage my soul to keep his commandments. GOD is glorified in those happy souls who walk with him, and bear much fruit to his glory; such souls honour the LORD, but those who forsake his ways despise him. No tongue can tell what an honour, and what a blessing it is for a mortal creature to be used as an instrument for the advancement [__]he declarative glory of the GOD of glory and to be a worker together with GOD. Blessed are those who esteem the glory of GOD more precious than their lives. It appears to me that all things were pointing to those who have tasted the love of JESUS, and some way or other telling them to live to the glory of GOD. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one essential God of pure love; stands inviting all his children to live near to him and be happy. All the pearly gates of heaven, with all the bright inhabitants of glory stand inviting, saying, Come up hither, live near to GOD, and be eternally happy. All the sweet promises in the Bible stand inviting, saying, Come, eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness live near to GOD and be happy. All the saints on earth, who live in the possession of the love of GOD, stand inviting, saying, Oh, taste and see how good the Lord is—live near to GOD and be happy. All the creation stands inviting, saying, Behold the earth is full of his glory—live near to GOD and be happy. The black regions of darkness, with all their miserable inhabitants stand as a warning, saying, If you depart from the Lord, you shall be eternally miserable.— All the bitter curses in the Bible stand as swords to drive us near to GOD. All the troubles and vexations of time are saying, Don't stay here in this evil world; seek a better world than this; hasten to a better country, make no tarrying, you have no continuing city here; live like strangers on a journey, let your heart and treasure be in heaven. Rise up, O my soul—it is high time to awake out of sleep, and to be in a readiness to meet the bridegroom when he cometh!— Oh! May I be more watchful than I have ever been! I want to live better—but without CHRIST I can do nothing. From him comes all the good, to him goes all the glory.
E nable, LORD, my soul to stand,
U pheld by thine Almighty Hand,
N or let thy grace remove:
I hope to conquer sin at length—
C HRIST is my hope, my joy, my strength—
E ternal is his love.
S weet is my lovely SAVIOUR's voice,
M y soul in JESUS does rejoice,
I love to feel his grace;
T he happy day will surely come,
H is saints will all be gather'd home,
To see his lovely face.
THE FOLLOWING SONGS, ARE PRESENTED TO THE EXCELLENT ONES, WHO LOVE THE BLESSED JESUS, BY THEIR UNWORTHY SERVANT, AND I HOPE I MAY SAY, THEIR LOVING SISTER FOREVER, EUNICE SMITH.
SONG I.
DEAR friends with whom my soul is bound,
To travel to fair Canaan's ground;
To you I'm bound by cords of love,
With you I hope to dwell above.
May heaven's blessing you attend,
And JESUS be your constant friend,
Falling your souls with heavenly peace,
Until your mortal life shall cease.
Then may you rise and dwell above,
To swim in sea[__] of joy and love,
And with the saints and angels join,
To praise the LORD in songs divine.
Oh, glorious hour! Oh, happy day!
When sin shall all be done away,
And all the saints shall be made one,
Like to the FATHER and the SON.
There may I find some humble place,
Where I may see my SAVIOUR's face
And sweetly join with you, to sing
Eternal praises to our KING.
Though I am all defil'd with sin,
The blood of CHRIST can make me cl[__]
Though I am very poor and vile,
I hope the LORD, do[__] on me [___]le.
Glory to GOD for any hope—
CHRIST JESUS is my only prop;
To me belongeth shame of face,
But to the LORD, forgiving grace.
The greatest riches I desire,
Is, to be fill'd with heavenly fire,
The fire of love, that shall endure,
And to eternity be sure.
Glory forever let us give,
To HIM that died that we might live:
Oh! Let us all our SAVIOUR praise,
And in his service spend our days.
Perh[__]s the day is very near,
When our REDEEMER will appear:
Oh! Let us then be watching [__]ound,
That we may be with glory crown'd.
I hope through grace, the time will come,
When we shall safe arrive at home,
Where all the saints will help us sing,
And praise our SAVIOUR and our KING.
Then let us run that blessed race,
Until we see our SAVIOUR's face,
And there with him forever reign,
Beyond the reach of sin or pain.
SONG II.
COME all that to Canaan are bound,
Whose hearts are with JESUS our KING,
Though sorrows beset you around,
With pleasure his praise you may sing.
Ye mourners in Zion rejoice,
Whole hearts are afflicted with sin,
Who make the REDEEMER your choice,
And long to get nearer to him.
While passing through troubles and fears,
The SAVIOUR remembers his saints,
He knows all their sorrows and tears,
And listens to all their complaints:
When sin is our sorrow and grief,
And causes our hearts for to bleed,
To JESUS well run for relief,
And ask him for all that we need.
Remember what JESUS has done,
What comfort from him we have found,
When all other refuge was gone,
And darkness compass'd us around:
Our JESUS behold from above,
Our darkness, our trouble, and grief,
And sent us a token of love,
Our JESUS has been our relief.
We'll trust in this wonderful friend,
Whole mercy forever shall last,
Without a beginning or end,
His kindness shall never be past.
We've got a good Master [___]ve,
Whose service is pleasant indeed,
Though nothing that's good we deserve,
He'll give us whatever [__] need.
Let Zion rejoice in her LORD,
Whose [___] will forever endure,
And all who rely on his word,
Shall find all his promises sure.
What pleasure and comfort is found
In walking with JESUS below!
How sweetly the pro[__]ses sound
To all who the SAVIOUR do know!
But Oh! What unspeakable joy,
Doth lie at the end of our race!
We soon shall our JESUS enjoy,
And see his most beautiful face.
United forever above,
Together we ever shall be,
All praising the GOD that we love,
The lovely UNCHANGEABLE THREE.
SONG III.
DEAR brethren, are your harps in tune?
Come then, and let us sing,
A song of honour and of praise,
To Zion's lovely King:
Dear sisters also come and join,
And let our hearts be one,
To try to send a note of praise,
To GOD's beloved SON!
Whoever tasted Heavenly Love,
Should sing the heavenly song,
Until our souls shall join above,
With all the heavenly throng.
Behold the lovely LAMB of GOD,
Descending [___] above
Behold what pa[__] he underwent,
To Manifest his love!
Oh! How my soul does mourn to see;
This bright and glorious SON!
Press'd down beneath my weighty guilt,
Until the blood did run!
His soul exceeding sorrowful,
Most earnestly did cry,
That if it might be possible,
That cup might pass him by—
But FATHER, if it be thy will,
That I should drink this cup,
To save poor souls from bitter death,
I'll freely drink it up.
Behold what anguish and distress,
The lovely JESUS bore!
His blessed hands and blessed [___],
For wretched sinners t[__]re!
Dear souls, is this the fruit of sin?
Must JESUS suffer thus,
And give away his blessed life,
To take the curse from us?
Come then, and let us watch and pray,
And fight the monster sin;
Through JESUS, our victorious KING,
We shall the victory win.
Must heavenly beauty bear our sin?
Must glory bear our shame?
Oh, then, forever let us sing,
And praise his holy name!
Oh! What a great and precious price,
The SAVIOUR did lay down,
To save us from our vain discourse,
And bring us to a crown!
Oh! May I spend each day I live,
In praising of my king,
Until he call my soul away,
Eternal praise to sing
SONG IV.
Behold the LAMB of GOD, that taketh away the sin of the world!
BEHOLD the worthy LAMB of GOD,
Who for us shed his precious blood,
That he might take away our sin,
And we eternal life might win!
He whom the angels all obey'd,
Behold him in a manger laid,
For those who would not him obey,
That he might take their sin away!
Behold him travelling up and down,
Still doing good from town to town!
And praying for his enemies,
That they might reign above the skies.
Behold our sins upon him laid,
When in the garden there he pray'd!
Behold him press'd beneath our load,
Until he sweat great drops of blood!
Behold him nail'd fast to the tree,
There suffering pangs beyond degree,
All for poor wretched sinners' sake,
That he their sins away might take!
Behold at length aloud he cries,
'Tis finished! Then behold he dies!
The LORD of life resign'd his breath,
To bring to life poor lumps of death.
Thus was the PRINCE of glory bound,
That we might be with glory crown'd:
Oh! This is [___] love indeed,
That [___] love exceed!
But soon behold a joyful sight,
This So[__] of glory rises brigh[__]!
Behold to heaven he doth ascend,
There dwells our kind and loving friend.
Now may our songs to JESUS rise,
Who lives and reigns above the skies!
Now may we pray, and sing and praise,
And thus in pleasure spend our days.
SONG V.
OH! What a foolish child I am,
To wander from the lovely LAMB,
To wander from the field of grace,
Where I beheld his lovely face!
LORD, I confess I do deserve,
To be forsaken here to starve,
But since thy grace is wholly free,
Oh, may it roach unworthy me!
Oh, my REDEEMER, let me see,
A pleasant smile of love from thee!
Come, take possession of my heart,
And let me never from thee part.
Oh, set me in thy pleasant way,
And bid me go no more astray:
Dear JESUS, since thy love is free,
Oh, may it reach unworthy me.
Oh! How I long to see the day,
When sin shall all be done away,
When grace shall to perfection rise,
And glory shine before my eyes.
Come, lovely JESUS, quickly come,
And take thy mourning children home,
That we with joy may see the end,
Of all that doth our LORD offend.
Behold I quickly come, says he,
Now therefore, wait, and watch for me,
Keep pure your garments from all stain,
And you shall soon in glory reign.
SONG VI. A MORNING SONG, Sept. 15.
THIS morning pleasant is to me,
While JESUS' lovely face,
On my unworthy soul does shine,
With beams of heavenly grace.
I feel myself deserving hell,
Because of all my sin,
Yet the dear blood of CHRIST my LORD,
I see can make me clean.
The love of CHRIST I do admire,
How wonderful and free!
Why did he have a thought of love,
For poor unworthy me?
Oh, what an everlasting store,
The LORD hath open'd wide!
And bids me come with all my wants!
And all shall be supply'd.
Arise, my soul, with joyful haste,
And hallelujahs sing:
Oh, now begin the heavenly work,
Of praising Zion's KING!
Now to my PROPHET, PRIEST, and KING,
I dedicate my all;
Oh, may I ever waiting stand,
Obedient to his call.
SONG VII.
OUR time how swift it flies away,
Oh, then improve the present day;
Our moments soon will all be past,
Perhaps this day will be the last.
Our life is like a vapour here,
A little while it doth appear,
And then it is forever gone,
And vast eternity comes on.
Eternity! How sweet the sound,
To those who in the LORD are found!
When all their sorrows here are past,
Their pleasures will for ever last.
Eternity! How sad the sound,
To those who in their sins are found!
When all their pleasures here are past,
Their sorrows will forever last.
Soon shall we swim in boundless joy,
And praises be our sweet employ,
Or sink forever down to hell,
And bid all joy a long farewell.
Prepare us then, dear LORD, to stand,
With joyful feet, on Canaan's Land,
Where we thy lovely face may view,
And bid our troubles all adieu.
SONG VIII.
DEAR Christians come join in my song,
Though distant our bodies remain,
I hope we shall meet ere 'tis long,
And never be parted again.
United in JESUS's love,
Come let us rejoice in our KING,
'Till JESUS shall bring us above,
His praises forever to sing.
Though many temptations we meet,
Which make us to sigh and to groan,
We'll bow at IMMANUEL's feet,
And trust in our JESUS alone.
Though we are most feeble and frail,
Our KING is almighty in strength,
His subjects shall surely prevail,
And triumph in glory at length.
Our sorrows a night may endure,
Afflictions a moment may last,
But joy in the morning is sure,
When all our sad troubles are past.
Then let us give glory and praise,
To JESUS who reigneth above,
And spend what remains of our days,
In telling his wonders of love.
To tell what my JESUS has done,
Oh, this is a lovely employ;
One glimpse of this beautiful ONE,
Doth fill me with comfort and joy.
SONG IX.
So run that ye may obtain.
DEAR happy souls who have begun,
The joyful work of praise,
Oh, do not stop but ever run,
The blessed Christian race.
Though many powerful enemies,
May fill your soul with grief,
Oh, do not stop, but raise your cries,
To JESUS for relief.
When worldly cares beset you round,
To turn your feet astray,
Oh, do not stop on earthly ground,
But run the heavenly way.
When many shining vanities,
Do pass before your eyes,
Oh, do not stop to look on these,
But run and take the prize.
These shining baubles soon will break.
They cannot long endure,
Oh, do not stop, but run and make,
Your lasting portion sure.
Let JESUS be your joy and strength,
Rely on him alone,
Oh, never stop, and you at length,
Shall shine before the throne.
There you shall find more pleasure sweet,
Than here you can desire;
Oh, never stop until you meet,
The whole redeemed choir.
There you may join the shining throng,
The GOD of heaven to praise,
And never stop your joyful song
To everlasting days.
SONG X.
WHEN will that glorious day appear,
My soul does long to see,
When all that love our JESUS dear,
Shall perfectly agree.
When all as one united host,
Forever shall adore,
The FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST,
Who lives for evermore.
LORD, must thy children ever mourn,
Because they can't agree?
Dear JESUS come, in love return,
That we thy face may see.
Oh, make our jarrings all to cease,
Our hardness all to end,
That we may join in perfect peace,
To praise our heavenly friend.
Oh! How I long the day to see,
Which surely will appear,
When saints shall perfectly agree,
Without one mourning tear.
When all the happy souls shall meet,
And never part no more,
Eternity will sound most sweet,
Upon that blissful shore.
There every lovely soul shall sing,
In sweetest harmony,
The praises of our lovely KING,
To all eternity.
Ye that obey our LORD, and KING,
Whose souls for Zion mourn.
Lift up your heads, rejoice, and sing,
Our LORD, will soon return.
Your sorrows here, and evil days,
Shall quickly all be past,
But, O[__], your blessed songs of praise,
Eternally shall last.
FINIS
Some of the Exercises of a Believing Soul Described
SOME OF THE EXERCISES OF A BELIEVING SOUL DESCRIBED; IN A SHORT ANSWER TO TWELVE Serious and important QUESTIONS.
See Contents in the next Page.
BY EUNICE SMITH, of Ashfield. Author of Mary and Martha.
Boston: Printed by E. Russell near Liberty-S[__]m[_], for [___] King, in Conway. 1792. Price 8d
CONTENTS.
QUESTION I. What raises your admiration, when grace is in exercise in your soul?
QUES. II. What is your sorrow and mourning?
QUEST. III. What is your joy and rejoicing?
QUEST. IV. What do you hate?
QUEST. V. What do you love?
QUEST. VI. What are your fears?
QUEST. VII. What do you hope for?
QUEST. VIII. What are your desires?
QU. IX. What enemies have you to fight against?
Q X. How can you have any hopes of being an overcomer, seeing you have no strength?
QUEST. XI. What should you aim at, and what should be the motive of all your thoughts, words and actions?
QUEST. XII. What is the difference between this life and the eternal World, to which you are going?
SOME OF THE EXERCISES, &c.
QUESTION I.
What raises your admiration, when grace is in exercise in your soul?
ANS. GREAT is the mistery of godliness! My admiration often rises beyond expression. But I will try to express some of my ideas as well as I can. I greatly admire I should be made to hear and know the joyful sound! I, that was far off! I, that was an enemy to King JESUS! I, that was by nature a child of wrath even as others! Why was it I that was taken, while others are left! I can't resolve this mistery; it still remains a wonder! I must leave it with thanksgiving in the hands of GOD, as my blessed Savior did, saying, Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy fight.
BUT that which raises my admiration the highest is, the way that mercy reaches sinners; that GOD should be manifest in the flesh: That the King of Heaven should die for his rebellious subjects! That the Creator should bear the punishment due to his poor, sinful creatures! O this is astonishing love and condescension! I wonder and admire! O this excellent way of redemption! The love of GOD passes all understanding. I can see and know but little of the love of GOD that passes knowledge: But what I see thereof looks very wonderful: Yet I wonder at my own stupidity, that I am so little affected with this wonderful love of GOD. Why don't my admiration rise vastly higher than ever it did yet? I wonder that my tho'ts are so flat and low, while I hope I am redeemed from eternal death by the precious blood of CHRIST.
Amazing love! Unbounded grace!
How bright it shines in JESUS' face!
Where justice stern, and mercy free
To save poor sinners do agree.
QU. II. What is your sorrow and mourning?
ANS. I Mourn that I have sinned, and am still a sinner against the LORD of GLORY: That I am so unlike to CHRIST: That when I would do good evil is present with me: That my heart is so evil, so vain and so stupid, and that I can do no more service for GOD and his children. It causes sorrow and mourning when I see that my sins have pierced the Son of GOD. O this is a sorrowful sight! What have I done? Did my sins torment the blessed King of Glory? I can't but mourn to think of this; and that any of my sins, the murderers that wounded the heart of JESUS, should be entertained in my heart.—I mourn for the precious sons and daughters of Zion, when I see them mourning under various troubles; their sorrow is my sorrow. I mourn to see the cause of GOD wounded at any time by any of its professed friends; and to see many going on to all appearance in the broad way that leads to destruction, slighting the blood of the Lamb of GOD. Grace teaches me to mourn for sin wherever I see it, whether in myself or others.
My sorrows here are manifold,
Which cannot be in order told:
But soon I hope thro' grace to see
The end of all that troubles me.
QUES. III What is your joy and rejoicing?
ANS. I Rejoice in the LORD, and joy in him who is the rock of my salvation. I rejoice in what the LORD hath done. He hath made me glad thro' his work, and I will triumph in the work of his hands. When I have a view of the glorious perfections of GOD, I give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Tho' I am a mourning sinner, yet I rejoice that the LORD makes me mourn, and that he hath promised comfort to those that mourn: Thus I see he gives grace for grace. I rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD, and of the fulfilment of all the exceeding great and precious promises which will be the perfection of holiness, the destruction of sin, the end of all sorrow and the perfection of all joy. I rejoice to see and hear of subjects being born to King JESUS: I love to hear them speaking Canaan's sweet language, and their joy is my joy. Grace teaches me to rejoice in the LORD's work wherever I see it, and to rejoice in nothing but what is the LORD's. Whatsoever the King does pleases all the people that are governed by his grace. My various joys are too numerous to reckon up in order, and I expect they will never end, but increase and endure forever. My joys are now but just budded; the begining is small, but the latter end shall greatly increase. Some drops of joy have now entered into my soul; but I hope soon to enter into the joy of my LORD.
Glory to GOD for all my joy,
O may his praise my tongue employ!
Now whilst I live, and when I die,
And to a long eternity.
QUES. IV. What do you hate?
ANS. I Hate sin; especially the sins of my own heart: The pride, unbelief and vanity that lurks within are my hateful enemies. There is nothing so hateful as sin, whether it shews itself in thought, word or deed. The grace of GOD teaches me to hate whatsoever the LORD hates.
I hate the vanity and sin,
The foolish thoughts that lurk within,
And often lead my soul astray
From JESUS CHRIST my holy way.
QUESTION V. What do you love?
ANSWER. GRACE teaches me to love whatsoever is like the altogether lovely JESUS; he is the centre of love. GOD is love, and to him all true love will fly. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost make one essential GOD of love, manifested to us in a most familiar, condescending manner by the Son of GOD, who became the son of man, that we might become the children of GOD. O glorious beauty! Essential love! How should my heart forever burn with love to this lovely One! Well may it be said, He is altogether lovely: The full perfection of all that is excellent shines in his lovely face. How sweet are all his commands! They are a perfect law of liberty, and are very lovely to me. For JESUS' sake I love my fellow creatures, though I hate the ways of sinners. But I have a special love to the Saints, the excellent, in whom I take delight. They are more lovely than others, because they have received a measure of the lovely Spirit of GOD. They resemble the King in some measure: They can talk his language, and the more they are like him the more lovely they are. We ought to love one another as JESUS has loved us, and yet love the LORD our GOD with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. All my love to creatures should be for his sake, from whom all loveliness proceeds; so that let me love whom or what I will, still all my love should be set upon GOD. I see here is a sweet mistery and loving harmony, which looks very beautiful and lovely to me.
All glory to the GOD of love,
Whose love descendeth from above!
And then ascendeth up again,
Where love forever will remain.
QUESTION VI. What are your fears?
ANS. Perfect love casteth out fear: But still the fear of the LORD is the begining of wisdom. I am subject to many fears thro' imperfection, and for want of more love; which fears cause a degree of torment. When love grows cold I fear I shall at last perish by my enemies, and that I do not belong to the family of CHRIST; that I do not love him nor his children as true-hearted Christians do; that all my love is self-love, and that I shall at last be forever separated from CHRIST and the Saints, &c. I also fear the faces of mortals. And many outward dangers cause fears: Without are fightings, and within are fears. But all these fears, and many more of the same nature, cannot stand before the love of JESUS. These are the fears that perfect love will cast out; and the true fear of the LORD will banish them from the soul. Grace teaches me only to fear the LORD, with a pleasant loving fear: Fearing to sin against GOD, or to break the least of his commandments. The true fear of the LORD is in sweet agreement with love, and there is no torment therein.
O may I always fear the LORD,
And love and keep his holy Word!
And never let a mortal's face
Make me afraid to speak his praise.
QUEST. VII. What do you hope for?
ANSW. I Hope for unspeakable blessings. I hope that my LORD's kingdom will advance until it fills the whole earth, and my GOD will subdue all things to himself, and the loftiness of all flesh will be brought down, and every knee will bow to King JESUS, and the LORD alone shall be exalted. When all this comes to pass my hopes will all be accomplished. I hope for compleat deliverance from sin, and to be made perfectly holy: Then I hope to see and know what GOD hath laid up for them that love him.—Above all I hope that mine eyes shall see the King in his beauty, by whose death I have hopes of eternal life: And when I see him as he is, I hope I shall be like unto him and also see all his blessed family together. O what a glorious company I hope to see, all looking like the lovely JESUS! I hope for wonderful things which I see not, and I desire with patience to wait for them. CHRIST is my hope; therefore I expect my hope will never make me ashamed. He is in all his children the hope of glory; which hope is as an anchor to the soul, sure and stedfast. Glory of GOD for my hope: I might as justly been in keen despair, where hope could never come.
CHRIST JESUS is the only One
To fix a hope of Heaven upon;
He is the Rock and will abide
When all things else away will slide.
QUEST. VIII. What are your desires?
ANS. MY desires are as large and extensive as my hopes, and are very numerous, which cannot all be told; but some of them I will mention, which may comprehend them all.—I desire all that I hope for. I have such large desire[__] ha[__] all the riches of the earth cannot satisfy me. My soul thirsteth for GOD, for the living GOD. I can desire nothing greater, and nothing less can give me satisfaction. O how long must I remain at such a distance from GOD? How long must I remain a sinner? I long to be perfectly holy. I never shall be fully satisfied until I awake in the likeness of CHRIST. I greatly desire to be an instrument used in the hands of GOD, to shew forth his praises; to be a vessel fitted for the blessed Master's use and service; to know and do his will continually. I desire to bear much fruit, that thereby the heavenly Father may be glorified: And the same blessings I desire for my own soul I desire for all the elect of GOD: I want to have them all bro't home to JESUS, and to have all creatures bowing at his feet. I desire the fulfilment of all the promises, then all that are excellent and lovely shall be together, and sing and eternal song of praise to GOD and the Lamb; and never sin, nor never part to endless ages: Every one casting the crown of all their joy, down before him who only is worthy of all the glory. O what a glorious day is at hand when all the desires that the LORD gives to all his children shall be more than granted!
Come blessed JESUS, quickly come,
And take thy longing Children home,
That all may in thy beauty shine,
And all the glory shall be thine.
QUESTION IX.
What enemies have you to fight against?
ANS. THere is a large army encamped against me, who are under three generals, the world, the flesh and the devil: These with all their host I must resist with spiritual weapons; and it will never be lawful nor prudent for me to yield or flee before the enemy; but as I have listed in the King's service during life, I must fight as long as I remain in the enemy's country. My King gives all his soldiers a noble bounty and good wages, and sets open a full store, where there is a plenty of weapons of proof, that never fail when well used, of prevailing against the enemy: And a full store of provision, food well dressed for all that are hungry: And raiment plenty, fit to wear in the palace of glory: And his command and promise is, Be thou faithful unto the death and I will give thee a crown of life. The world seeks to ruin my soul, sometimes by flatteries and sometimes by frowns; but I must not regard it, but go strait forward toward the heavenly world and never be conformed to this world, but always seek to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, after the image of GOD's dear SON. I must not fear them that can kill the body, and do no more. The flesh is a subtle enemy and pleads hard to be indulged in sin: But I must make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. These selfish enemies do me the most damage. The world and satan with all their host could do me but little hurt, if it was not for a number of deceitful foes within, always ready to let in the enemy, and to crowd themselves into all my best company, spoiling my meditation and conversation. The devil like a roaring lion goes about seeking whom he may devour; yet every weak lamb is bound to resist this lion stedfast in the faith. My enemies compass me about like bees; an army without, and an army within: They are lively and strong, the weakest of these enemies are too strong for me. But yet I must fight and never yield until they are all overcome. I, that have destroyed myself, and am weak and faint, and have no strength; I, must fight against an host that are set in battle array against me; and I am commanded not to fear, but to withstand in the evil day, and having done all still I must stand. He that overcometh shall inherit all things.
The happy souls that conquer sin,
Shall everlasting glory win;
Shall see the end of war and pain,
And with the King of Glory reign.
QUES. X. How can you have any hopes of being an overcomer, seeing you have no strength?
ANSW. THE LORD is my strength and song: He also is become my salvation: He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Though an host encamp against me, I will not fear; for in the name of the LORD I can destroy them. By my GOD I can run through a troop, and leap over a wall. I can do all things through CHRIST who strengtheneth me. If I can but set the LORD always before my face, I shall not be moved. As long as I trust in the LORD I know I shall be safe; for his promises are sure to all that trust in him. I must be always diligent in the work and warfare that the LORD has appointed me: Rejoicing in CHRIST JESUS, and having no confidence in the flesh. I must watch and pray, fight and wrestle against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places. And I trust the LORD will make me triumph over sin, death and hell, with all their armies. Every enemy is conquered by JESUS the glorious Captain of salvation. The serpent's head is broke. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD, and in his name and strength I hope to triumph over every enemy as young David did over Gol[__]ah.
O How safe I feel! My soul defies every enemy: Though I am as weak as grass, yet my soul triumphs in her King. There is strength enough in JESUS. Take courage O my soul and fight valiantly against every sin; especially against pride of heart, which is spiritual wickedness in high places. The LORD hates an high look and abhors a proud heart: But those who learn of him to be meek and lowly shall find rest to their souls.
Arise my soul, with courage rise,
And fight against thine enemies;
Trust only in the LORD for strength,
And endless peace will come at length.
My JESUS is my strength and song;
My JESUS is my tower most strong;
My JESUS hears my feeble call;
My JESUS is my ALL in All.
Q. XI. What should you aim at, and what should be the motive of all your tho'ts, words and actions?
ANSW. THE glory of GOD should always be my aim. Whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, I should do all to the glory of GOD. This is the most noble motive that can be set before me. This I believe is the joyful work of the shining armies in glory, to do all they do to the glory of GOD: Could I attain to this a happy creature I should be. My joyful work should always be to glorify my Father who is in Heaven. Herein will he be glorified, if I bear much fruit. But my unbelieving heart says, What fruit can such a thorn as I am bear? The LORD says, I am a green fir-tree; from me is thy fruit found. Abide in me and I in you: As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me." If I abide in CHRIST and keep his commandments I shall bear good fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is exceeding sweet and pleasant to the taste: What is sweeter than love, joy and peace? Lovely and pleasant is the work my LORD calls me to do. Why should my evil heart be backward or unwilling to do the work of Saints and Angels in glory. It will be for my happiness to always be submitted to the will of GOD. I know his will is for the best; and to constantly continue in his service; I know his service is good and easy: And to cast all my care upon him. I know he will take better care of me than I can of myself. O that I might be used as an instrument for the glory of Him whose essential glory can never be increased by any of his creatures. While the glory of GOD is the work I aim at, my soul can l[__]k up and rejoice. Then am I in a fit circumstance to find the truth of that promise of the blessed JESUS, nothing shall by any means hurt you. Then let what will come upon me, what need I care? If GOD is but glorified thereby, I have my heart's desire. It will be happy living if I live unto the LORD, and it will be happy dying if I die unto the LORD: If the LORD is but glorified by me all will be well, whether in sickness or health, life or death. Our glorious Leader has cast up a noble high-way called the way of holiness, and the redeemed of the LORD shall walk therein. The blessed Savior walked in this way himself, [__]eting us a bright example, and he says, Follow me. And the happy souls that follow JESUS shall ran and not be weary; shall walk and not be faint: And go from strength to strength, 'till in Zion every one shall appear before GOD. Then shall all the glory be forever ascribed to Him who only is worthy of praise from all his creatures, in a special manner from those that he not only made, but redeemed from eternal misery, by his own most precious blood.—Worthy is the LAMB that was slain to receive all glory; blessing and honor, in time and to eternity.
My greatest care, O LORD, should be
To glorify and honor thee I
O give me daily grace for grace,
Until I see thy lovely face!
How bright and pleasant is the way
That leads to everlasting day!
The way is mark'd and pav'd with love,
And leads to boundless joys above.
QUESTION XII. What is the difference between this life and the eternal World, to which you are going?
ANSW. THIS is too hard a question for me to answer whilst I remain in the tents of mortality: But I can tell some of my weak ideas. This life is short, like a vapor that appears a little while and then vanishes away: So uncertain when it will end, that I never know but that the last hour thereof is really come. But the world to which I am going will never vanish away; there my state will be forever fixed, nor shall I ever find the middle nor end thereof. Here I am only as a stranger upon a journey, hastily passing through a narrow wilderness, where I have no continuing city: But the world to which I am going will be my home, my everlasting habitation; I shall not be a stranger there, for I am going to my own People. All the enjoyments of this life are uncertain, and may be all suddenly taken from me: I can call nothing my own, (except it be that good part that Mary chose; if I have got that, it shall never be taken from me, for it is an earnest of the inheritance to which I am going.) All the riches of this world are of but small value, and will never do for a portion; they cannot satisfy the soul: But all things are certain and enduring in the heavenly world; treasures laid up there are of infinite value, and will fully satisfy the desires of an immortal soul. The present life is a mixtue of good and evil, joy and sorrow: Prosperity and adversity are set one over against the other; but there will be no such mixture in the eternal world. The present life is a state of war, where we should shew our valor for our LORD the King, in the land where his enemies dwell. A state of trial for a long eternity; a place for the poor Saints to mourn and weep under the affliction of a body of sin and death: But the world of glory where all the Saints are going, is a state of triumphing over every enemy, a state of perfect peace, where all that are here tried and come forth as gold, shall need no more trying but shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. There shall be no mourning, sorrow nor crying there; no more trouble with a body of sin and death. There shall be given a free reward for all the free grace that the LORD enables his children to improve to his glory in time. Here I have some desires to praise the blessed JESUS; but find I can scarce touch upon the notes of that heavenly song. But I hope I am going where I shall join with all the happy Singers, to praise my GOD in a sweet melodious manner. Here I go mourning from day to day because of my distance from the lovely spring of all my joys: But I hope I am going where I shall be satisfied with nearness to the lovely JESUS, and with the company of all his lovely children, who are now scattered like sheep in a wilderness, but soon they will be all together, and never be scattered again. Here I am greatly troubled with the monster sin, who is blowing his poison breath upon all I do, spoiling my best duties: But I hope I am going where sin can never go. O what a shout of praise I shall sing to my glorious Deliverer, if ever I get perfectly free from sin! Here I can have but now and then a drop of heavenly pleasure, just enough to encourage and strengthen me to press forward on my journey: But when I get home I hope my LORD will make me drink of the River of his pleasure forever. Here I am full of desires which are not yet satisfied. But I hope I am going where I shall enjoy more than I can desire or wish for here.—But what can I conceive of the boundless joys that GOD has prepared for all that love him? O how dark are all my ideas of the eternal world, to which I am hastily going! Grace is a foretaste and earnest of the glorious inheritance, therefore we may know enough thereof in time to ravish our hearts, and make us long to reach our eternal Home.
The present life will soon decay;
Perhaps my time will end to-day:
Then may I find the happy Shore,
Where sin shall vex my soul no more.
All praise and glory may I sing
To GOD my everlasting King:
To him belongs eternal praise
From all the subjects of his grace.
Who can conceive what stores of love
Ly waiting for the Saints above;
Where they shall shine forever bright
Like everlasting Sons of Light.
E ternal praise I hope to sing
U nto the LORD my glorious King.
N one but the LORD can banish grief
I know he sends the poor relief,
C alls wretched sinners in distress,
E ternal glory to possess.
S weet is the voice that whispers peace;
M ore sweet than all the earth's increase.
I n JESUS every blessing flows,
T o banish all our various woes:
H ence forward O my soul a[__]ore
T he GOD of love forevermore.
An INVITATION to be constant in [__]uning the CHRISTIAN RACE.
1. DEAR happy souls who have begun
The joyful work of praise,
O do not stop, but ever run
The blessed christian race.
2. When many powerful enemies
Do fill your souls with grief,
O do not stop, but raise your cries
To JESUS for relief.
3. When worldly cares beset you round,
To turn your feet astray,
O do not stop on earthly ground,
But run the heavenly way.
4. Though many shining vanities
May pass before your eyes,
O do not stop to look on these,
But run and take the prize.
5. All worldly bubbles soon will break,
They cannot long endure;
O do not stop, but run and make
Your lasting portion sure.
6. Let JESUS be your joy and strength,
Rely on him alone;
O do not stop, and you at length
Shall shine before his Throne.
7. There you shall find more pleasures sweet
Than here you can desire;
O do not stop until you meet
The whole redeemed Choir.
ASHFIELD, Jan. 1792.
[___] a vacant Page, the Editor has inserted the SPIRITUAL SOLDIER's UNIFORM. By Mr. F—n H—y, of Boston, aet. 19.
Drest Uniform CHRIST's Soldiers wear,
When duty calls abroad,
[__]ot purchas'd by their cost or care,
But by their Prince bestow'd.
2. CHRIST's Soldiers to[__] have Christlike bread
And regimental dress;
Tis linen white and fac'd with red,
'Tis CHRIST's own righteousness.
A rich and costly robe it is,
And to the Soldier dear,
[__]o rose can learn to blush like this,
Nor lilly look so fair.
Tis wrought by JESUS' skilful hand.
And ting'd with his own blood:
[___] the Cherubs gazing stand
[___] view this robe of GOD.
No art of man can weave this robe,
It's of such texture fine;
[__]or could the wealth of all this globe,
By purchase make it mine.
[__]. It's of one piece and wove throughout
So curiously that none
[__]an dress up in this seamless coat,
'Till JESUS puts it on.
This vesture never waxeth old,
Nor spot thereon can fall:
makes the Soldier brave and bold,
And dutiful withall.
8. This robe put on me LORD each day,
And it shall hide my shame;
'Twill make me fight, and sing and pray,
And bless my Captain's name.
9. How brave and bold CHRIST's Soldiers ar[__]
When dress'd up in this robe!
They look like men equip'd for war,
And like the Sons of GOD.
10. Their shield is saith, their helmet hope.
And thus they march CHRIST's roa[__]
CHRIST's Spirit is their glitt'ring sword
To play the man for GOD.
11. When dress'd up in this Uniform,
In order march along,
CHRIST JESUS is their Leader now.
Redeeming love their song.
12. The trumpet blows at CHRIST's com[__]
A long and joyful sound;
While Soldiers shout and praise their
The walls fall to the ground.
At this OFFICE may be had, just published, the [__]COND EDITION of an excellent and much [___] Pamphlet, wrote by the ingenious Miss EUN[___] SMITH, Author of the present Work[_] entitled
SOME Arguments against Worldly-mindedness, and [___] Care and Trouble. With some other useful Instructions. Represented by Way of a Dialogue or Discourse between two, called by the Names of MARY and MARTHA.
Also, by the same Author, Practical Language interpret[__] In a Dialogue between a Believer and an Unbeliever: In Parts: Representing a Believer under the Influence of [___] speaking Canaan's Language.—Also may be had Columbian Tragedy: Containing an Official and [___] Account of the Ohio Battle.—The Minister [___] own Funeral Sermon.—Christ's Letter to King [___].