Thames Ditton,
Sept. 4, 1778.
THIS comes to let you know that we received your last letter, and are both very well; and have three children born to us, their names are, Ruth, Naomi, and Gad. We have been in this place nearly three years, and have got a little house to ourselves, which we have had these two years. The Lord has been wonderfully kind to us, has given us a pretty situation, and between twenty and thirty pounds a year coming in, to live upon, nor do we work for it. Mary has not had any sickness since we have been here, nor I neither.
We never lived so happy nor so well in our lives, as now we live in the enjoyment of a blessed Saviour; and have peace with our own consciences. We lived all our life-time until within these six years, ignorant of a precious Saviour; and always afraid of death and judgment, as you are; but now, blessed be God, we know the meaning of this word; "And deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage," Heb. ii. 15. God hath given us repentance, and a spiritual birth. We did not know what it was to be born again by the Spirit of God, till we felt it in our own souls; but blessed, and for ever blessed be God, he hath given us the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of our sins.
The Lord hath taught us, that we must stand in the righteousness of Christ, instead of our own, which we never knew till lately but the Lord hath shewed us that all our righteousnesses are only filthy rags, Isa. lxiv. 6; and that all who go to heaven must have the righteousness of Christ on them, Phil. iii. 8, 9. This righteousness is a gift, "And of the gift of righteousness," Rom. v. 17, 18. Our righteousness is of God: "Surely, shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness," Dan. ix. 24. This best robe that was put upon the prodigal son, is put upon us, and if you do not net this wedding garment on you, you will be bound hand and toot, and cast out, Matt. xxii. 13. Oh! "Seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," Matt. vi. 13; and this you must have on you here, before you die, and know it too, or you will not be able to stand before a heartsearching God. All thy work will not save thee, "For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8.
Salvation from first to last, is the gift of God: "My peace I give unto you," says our Lord, "I give grace, and I give glory." But, say you, "What, cannot I do any thing?" "He that will come after me," says Christ, "must deny himself, and take up big cross, and follow me." All your own works is a sandy foundation, and when the flood of God's wrath comes, it will wash away the sand; and your house, body and soul, will fall irrecoverably. You must build all your hopes on the rock, Christ, or you will never stand before God. But you will say, "I must do my best, and Christ will do the rest;" but what says Christ, while you lay your own works at the bottom, and Christ at the top? He tells you, "On whomsoever this stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder." You must be converted, and become as a little child, or you cannot see the kingdom of God, Matt. xviii. 3. All that are saved must be born again, and if you have not the Spirit of Christ, you are none of his, Rom. viii. 9.
Paul says, We are by nature ignorant of God's righteousness, and go about to establish one of our own, Rom. x. 3. But, say you, "I am a sober, upright Christian, and every body thinks well of me;" but, the Lord says, You have had the praise of men, you have had your reward; "That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God;" and "Wo," says the Lord, "unto you when all men speak well of you." And thus dear Father and Mother, we have told you a little what the Lord hath shewed us; and bless his dear name, we feel his love in our hearts. I conclude in love to your souls, and all my brethren. Should be glad to see them, if they would come up.
W. HUNTINGTON.
P. S. Direct to us at Thames Ditton, near Kingston, Surrey. And if any of our brethren like to come to see us, should be glad to see them with all our heart. Our love to them all.
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