LETTER 142.

[To the Rev. B. G ] London, 18 April 1838.

My dear Friend,

It is said of Asher, "Let Asher be blessed with children, let him be acceptable to his brethren;" and then in order thereto it is added, "let him dip his foot in oil." I have been greatly comforted with these words, perceiving in them the necessity of continual confession and humiliation, attended with the application of the blood of sprinkling by the Holy Ghost to my wounded conscience. I perceive I am continually contracting fresh guilt in my walk, and an old experience will not heal these fresh wounds; hence the necessity of my dipping my foot in oil, as denoting a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without this I shall be fruitless, and without children; but these fresh visitations not only refresh and preserve my spirit, but make me acceptable to my brethren. Besides this, they give firmness to my steps; a holy confidence in the strength of the Lord, which is "made perfect in weakness." Thus "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace," it is said "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass;" but all this I continually find is proved in the furnace, and if the work were not of God, I should not be able to abide there. But it is added, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." [Deut. xxxiii. 24, 25.]

These spiritual communications always fill my soul with holy awe. It is a great thing for God to visit a poor sinner, and for such an one to know that God speaks upon his heart. What manner of men ought we to be on this holy ground!

Yours &c. J. B.

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