29. Remarkably Sustained by Views of the Divine Perfections.

Remarkably Sustained by Views of the Divine Perfections

" God’s promises appear most strong, solid, real, substantial: more so than the rocks and everlasting hills. And his perfections ! what shall I say of them ? When I think of one, I wish to dwell on it forever; but another and another equally glorious claims a share of my admiration, and when I begin to praise I wish never to cease. Let who will be rich, or admired, or prosperous, it is enough for me that there is such a God as Jehovah, and such a Saviour as Jesus, and that they are infinitely and unchangeably glorious !

"Dec. 19. Had a most ravishing view of Christ this morning, as coming at a distance in the chariot of his salvation. In an instant, he was with me and around me, and I could only cry Welcome! a thousand times welcome to my disconsolate heart!"

After enumerating some special instances of God’s goodness to him, he adds, " But great as are my reasons to love God for his favors, he is infinitely more precious on account of his perfections. Never did he appear so inexpressibly glorious as he has for some weeks past. I have nothing to fear, nothing to hope from creatures. They are all mere shadows ! There is only one being in the universe, and that being is God! May I add, He is my God ! I long to get to see him in heaven: I long still more to stay and serve him on earth. Rather, I rejoice to be just where he pleases, and what he pleases.

Dec. 16, 1817, he writes, "Never before enjoyed such a sense of his love, or felt so constrained to love him and everything that belongs to him ; especially his word, which I could not forbear kissing and pressing to my bosom. Was perfectly willing to die without leaving my chamber. Had for a long time a melting heart, and came with a broken frame to the feet of Christ weeping aloud, and obtained a full and sweet assurance of pardon."

" Sept. 1. While lying awake last night had most delightful views of God as a father; felt that my happiness is as dear to him as to myself; that he would not willingly hurt one hair of my head, nor let me suffer a moment’s unnecessary pain. Felt that he was literally as willing to give as I was to ask— seemed, indeed, to have nothing to ask for.

" Sept. 19. Last night, while lying awake, had more distinct apprehensions of God’s greatness than at any previous time. Realized little of anything except simple greatness, and this almost crushed me to death. I could not move a limb or scarcely breathe. Could realize more than ever that a clear view of God must be hell to the wicked, for had any sense of his anger accompanied this view of his greatness, I could not have supported it!"