BOTH your epistles, Betty, came to hand, but the first in which you ordered me how and where to direct to you, is mislaid, so that I am constrained to direct this to brother G. who I doubt not will help it to you. Your first convinced me of the truth of what I always thought, that when you left me you went from God; however the elect of God cannot be lost, for they are appointed to obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Hence the Saviour says, "All that the Father hath given me shall come to me, and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," John vi. 37.
We may procure many rods and stripes, crosses, and burdens, to our own souls, which may cause us to go halting to the grave, but nothing shall ever alter the eternal purpose of God, nor prevent his most holy Spirit, and his eternal love from finding them out. I am a living witness of this, for though I never sought him, yet he sought me; I never called upon his name in truth, yet he called upon mine; and though out of the way of the means, his means made a way to me: "I am found," saith he, "of them that sought me not" "I know my sheep, and they hear my voice; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hands." "I lay down my life for my sheep, and I give unto them eternal life;" and these, Betty, are the true sayings of God.
I was glad to hear by your last, that you found some encouragement under the word, when in town; I was afraid that your appetite had been so vitiated, feeding so long upon husks, that the provisions of Wisdom's table and the true bread would hardly go down; though when the same mighty famine falls on us, as did on the poor prodigal, nothing but the bread of life will suffice; and my soul blesses God for making such provision, and for inviting them to it who are ready to perish. What a hearty welcome do poor sinners meet with, when they bring a craving appetite with them; " Eat O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved;" so true is the word of his grace, that he filleth the hungry with good things, but he sendeth the rich in themselves, empty away, Luke i. 53.
The elder sons by creation, who are in their first-born state, in the flesh and not born again, frankly own that our heavenly Father never gave them a kid, to make merry with their friends; but those who are predestinated to the adoption of sons, these poor prodigals, when they return, obtain the ring of eternal love, the robe of imputed righteousness, and the fatted calf; and though the elder sons are offended with this, yet God will have it so, and there is no resisting his will. Betty, cleave close to Jesus, delight thy soul in him, and make up all thy happiness in him, for all besides is death. Be a good girl, and mind your books, I mean, scripture and conscience, keep there, for out of them are the issues of life.
Ever your's,
W. HUNTINGTON.
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