William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)

This God Is Our God Forever And Ever

Dear Brother (Martin) in the glorious Lord of Zion,—It appears the Lord has thought good to deprive you of your natural sight, which is a painful affliction; but, adored be his gracious name, he gives you the sweet enjoyment of the true Light. This, my dear brother, is more prizable than all creation put together. What an indescribable blessing it is that such filthy creatures as we are by nature should be brought, under the glorious unction of God the Holy Ghost, to feel and see that the Lord is our portion, our life, light, bliss, and blessedness; yea, our ever-to-be-adored covenant God for ever and ever; and that, by a matchless gift of eternal electing love and grace, he has made himself over to us with all he has, and is, and has done as the God of Zion; so therefore we may truly say, “This God is our God for ever and ever, and will be our guide even unto death.” When the Holy Ghost sweetly reveals this God-glorifying truth to the conscience, and maintains the God-like majesty of it in the heart, we have heaven upon earth. Then, come what will, we can say, “It is well.”

My dear brother, I feel thankful to learn that our blessed Lord does, in such a sweet manner, grant you this high favour. O glorious frame of mind! What a sweet resting place is Jesus! Let men talk of their duty faith, simple belief, moral obligations, &c., but be it my blessedness to enjoy the sweet outpourings of the Holy Ghost, and thus to enjoy the company of that glorious Friend of sinners, who searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God, leads the soul deeply into them, and blessedly wafts the mind above all creature- good, above afflictions of every kind, to hold glorious intercourse with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost as my own covenant God. I say, let my clear Lord favour me with this blessing, and I am satisfied. They are welcome, heartily welcome, to all their boasted creature-goodness and self-attainments, and I know my dear brother Martin says, “Amen, and amen!”

Well, should we never see each other again in the flesh, it will not be long before we shall be wholly swallowed up in God, and never, never sin again. O what a blessed shout there will be when all the family are gathered together in one! Then the solemn song of free grace will be more fully understood, more sweetly enjoyed, and unceasingly sung.—Manchester, Nov. 3,1829.