Brightelmstone,
Oct. 8, 1765
My Dear Sister,
I have been waiting for an opportunity to write to you, and it is now come. You love to hear, and I love to write, about our common Friend, that matchless, loving, lovely Jesus, a subject one is never tired of. The more we dwell on it, the sweeter it grows; the longer we enjoy its sweetness, the more of heaven will come down to us, till we get up into heaven itself. To see Jesus in heaven, and to enjoy Him, is the bliss of heaven. Thanks be to Him. He is the joy of your heart and mine. Although we do know Him, and rejoice in Him, yet we know but little of what is to be known; for He is an infinite subject, and we can but know Him in part. But let us press on to know more; and, as we grow more humble and teachable, He will show us more of the excellency of His knowledge. Pray earnestly for more deep heart-humility. Mind — what He hideth from the worldly wise, He revealeth unto babes, unto them who are childlike and simple. The Lord make us more so daily, that we may know Him aright; and then we shall always see our salvation from sin and hell, and our title to heaven and glory, in Him. We cannot know Him truly without believing in Him. When we understand His power, God-man — His errand into the world, to save sinners — His Almighty arm, and the love of His bleeding heart to save them — and what an innumerable company He has plucked out of hell’s mouth, and raised up to His heaven — the more we know of these things, the more we can trust Him. He says to all sinners, ‘Come to me, and I will save you.’ O what grace is in these lips — that you and I have heard His voice, and have come, and are saved. We do believe, Lord, increase our faith! Let us pray much for it; because, as our faith in Him increases, so will our love to Him. I cannot believe He has finished salvation’s work for me, and daily experience miracles of His love, without loving Him in return; and as His miracles increase, I would love Him more and more. O for more love to this best and dearest of friends! I am sure your heart says, Amen! Now the way to have His love both growing and increasing, so as to abound in us, is to be continually making use of Him. He has all good in Him; and He has it for you and me. He has the fulness in Him of a fountain, to communicate of it. Of His fulness He would have us to make free; He invites us, commands us, to come with strong faith and much love, that, by receiving from Him great grace, He may get much glory from us, while we get much happiness from Him — His generous offer, is, ‘Come with boldness — all I have is for you.’ Faith replies, ‘Lo! I come, sweet Jesus, at Thy bidding, every moment, for everything, for grace and glory: I am content to receive all at Thy hands, and to be indebted to Thee for all, and that for ever and ever.’ — While you live thus, my dear sister, in constant fellowship with your Saviour, He will give you continual reason to love Him, and to bless Him. He will so treat you, so comfort you, so strengthen you, will make you in Him so holy and so happy, that every day He will enable you to trust Him more, and to love Him better. Thus you will come to enjoy more of Him, you will delight more in His company, you will get greater intimacy with Him, and will walk in close communion with Him, which is heaven upon earth. This growing fellowship with Him will increase the joys of your present salvation. So that, when doubt of His love, sense of indwelling sin, earth or hell, would tempt you from Jesus, He will speak in His Word, and will speak to your heart by His Spirit — ‘I am thine, fear not. I will guide thee with my counsel, and, after that, will receive thee into glory.’ You will believe steadfastly what He says, and will thereby resist and overcome the temptation. He will keep you; and you shall hold out unto the end, and shall know it too, and praise Him for persevering grace. He will bless you in death; and the happiest time you ever knew will be, when He lays your body in a sweet sleep, and your spirit with open face, shall see Jesus in the highest glory. To be with Him for ever is the highest bliss. To this, I trust, He will bring you and me, that we may praise the riches of His grace, and get more in His debt for ever and ever. He is now teaching us this heavenly employment. — You can, and I can, take the crown of all our graces and throw it at His feet. — Soon, very soon, we shall do the same with that crown of glory. O what a thought is that! — The good Lord is preparing my mother to do the same. I heartily pray for her establishment in the faith: and am, with my wife’s duty and love, your faithful friend and affectionate brother in our precious, most precious, eternally precious Jesus,
William Romaine