To E. M., August 1, 1858.
Very dear,
The notes you sent me of the sermon about Jacob were very nice. The
expression "unselfing" was striking. Do you not think that the revealing of
Christ to the soul, is the quickest of all means to effect this? John says,
"When I saw him I fell at his feet as dead"—typical of the bringing down of
self. I do humbly believe that the more we know Him in union, love,
and power--the more zealous we shall be against "self" in all its varied
forms. Unbelief sets up self—what I do, what I do not do, what I ought to
have done, and so on, until there is only a corner in the thoughts for the
dear Substitute, who has done all, and done it well too. But the more we
receive of Him and His—or, in other words, the more Christ alone is exalted,
the high towers of self are laid in the dust. When unbelief and self
are predominant it is sad work. May the Lord tread these abominations under
His feet, even as straw is trodden down for the ash-heap. Oh! my beloved
friend, we long for the days of the Son of man in our souls, for in His days
the righteous flourish.
I have been enjoying those words—"I will love them
freely: for My anger is turned away from them." (Hosea 14:4) It seems to me
to be the language of the Father, who, having laid upon Jesus the iniquities
of us all, then and there visited our transgressions with the rod, and our
iniquities with stripes, until not one was left unatoned for! Then His anger
was turned away from the Surety, and the Father could love the poor debtors
freely--because He was well pleased for Jesus' sake. He had magnified the
law, and made it honorable; and He, the Father, blessed them there. In Him,
"the Lord our righteousness," we may glory and rejoice; and in Him find
power to do so, for He is the power of God to everyone who believes. In
believing we take hold of that power, and can say with David, "My soul shall
make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad."
Indeed, my dear friend, we only want to know more of our
Law-fulfiller, and of the unsearchable riches which He has for our use. Then
the love of Christ would constrain us to glory in Him, and praise Him. Oh!
let us cry mightily for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of Him. Oh! to know Him more. Oh! that He always would eclipse everything
else! I desire that all things, even the most lawful, should not stand
between me and the blessed Sun of Righteousness. I have seen enough in
Him to ravish my heart, and make the brightest things below look dim!
But I want to see Him again, for I know that there are in Him infinite
glories of which I have had yet no conception! "After these things Jesus
showed himself again to his disciples." Amen, so let it be.
The Lord bless you and yours; and may Jesus shine warmly
in your heart, and you be constrained to speak warmly in His praise.
With dear love, ever your affectionate but unworthy,
Ruth
John 1:14; 2 Cor. 4:6.