by Rev. John Love
London, April 25, 1787
Dear Father, — The whole of this great and terrible wilderness through which we pass, is formed and governed by that infallible and unsearchable wisdom, which is to be adored and glorified by all created spirits. Nothing but that marvellous light, which shines from heaven by means of the holy oracles of God, can so guide our path, as that we may escape the fatal gins, pits, and precipices, which lie thick in the way. This light, when obtained, carries in itself demonstrative evidence of its divine origin and saving tendency. It is therefore to be sought after with much earnestness, perseverance, and importunity; to be received, cherished, and entertained, with much gratitude, submission and watchfulness. It is to be deeply lamented, that a God of such excellency, power, and love, should be at hand and yet so much neglected and forsaken by those souls which he has made. How strong and inveterate are the distempers and evil habits of soul which apostacy from God hath introduced; and which security, unbelief, and neglect of so great salvation keep alive and in their vigour!
What consternation and anguish will overtake and swallow up countless multitudes of souls in the future world, when they find how deep they have run themselves in debt to the infinite justice of God, by a course of vain, ungodly, unprofitable thoughts, words, and actions! It is mercy indeed to have a clear, undoubted separation from the character, and secure exemption from the present and future pangs, of that wretched and accursed rabble of enemies of God, with which the face of the earth has been defiled from age to age. Regeneration, justification by the blood and righteousness of the Son of God, sanctification, and genuine preparation for eternal life, are no light matters. A whole lifetime spent in pursuit of those things, though they should not be obtained till the latest period, is well bestowed. This is the admonition of the Spirit of God, “Exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Attempts to meditate on divine things, to pray, and to converse in a spiritual manner of spiritual subjects, ought to be often repeated, even when much indisposition and aversion may be felt as to such duties. The light of life springs up by the wonderful power of God in the midst of gross darkness, as when God said at the beginning, “Let there be light.” The mountains of guilt and separation from God which have been heaping up and standing like immovable rocks for many years, flow down at the presence of the God of salvation, and are melted as wax before the warmth of infinite mercy and love. The examples of bodily cures performed by the Redeemer, in the days of his humiliation, are to be much thought of as encouragements to come to him for more important and lasting deliverances. The wings of Emmanuel, the Mediator, are extended wide enough to make room for a whole world; but how few are persuaded to make trial, how safe and sweet a retreat is to be found there! Yet there shall be many effectually drawn to embrace their own mercy; and in the future world God will disclose, to those who love him and his creatures, the most satisfying reasons why his holy arm is kept back from conquering the hearts of all mankind. This is one great object in pursuit of which I desire to spend all my days and years; to have all in the house securely sheltered from the touch of the destroying angel, under the sprinkling of blood. There is an excellent harmony in all spiritual pursuits and cares; those which are more extensive and enlarged do not hinder those which are more particular. The angels of light, who have the most extensive views of God and his dominion, set high value on the salvation of one soul. It can never be sufficiently considered and laid to heart, that the wrath and love of God are infinite and unsearchable in their effects and importance. The slumbers of atheism must be continually rubbed off from our eyes: realising views of that which the world sees not, in the threatenings and promises of God, must come in the room of the lying dreams and imaginations of the deceitful heart. That peace of God and fellowship with him, that holiness of heart and joy in the Holy Ghost, which the world despises and hates, must be pressed into with the most assiduous importunity. For these purposes time must be redeemed, and the proper season snatched at; and, when we have got a little of God, it must be improved and traded with for the good of others, so far as we are called and have opportunity. They who get sooner or later into this course shall find the latter end of it to be peace. I commit those things and you all to the blessing and saving mercy of God.